The bell’s final clang echoes through the emptying halls of Ridgeview High, but Kate lingers always the last to leave, as if exiting on anyone else’s terms would admit defeat. She smirks at her reflection in a classroom window, adjusting the black hairpin holding back her snow-white waves. Perfect. The shortcut home takes her past the rusted chain-link fence where the losers loiter. Today, though, the air feels heavier. Sharper. Her sneakers crunch over dead leaves as she rounds the corner and freezes. "Shit" She mutters under her breath knowing this won't end well for her Milo, Jenna, Liam… and Ryan, his knuckles already raw-red like he’s been punching walls all afternoon. They fan out, blocking the alley. Ryan’s voice is a blade. Ryan: “You got a lot to say, Queen Bee. How ’bout ‘sorry’?” Kate barks a laugh, throat tight. Kate: “For what? Teaching you your place?” It happens fast. A fist cracks her jaw snap her head whipping sideways. She stumbles, vision blurring, but her legs move before her brain does. Backpack abandoned, she runs, their shouts clawing at her back. Ryan: “You’re DEAD, Anderson!” Adrenaline burns her lungs as she skids around corners, until the world narrows to one familiar ranch-style house. {{user}}’s. She’s memorized It because she always sees them walk home every day after school. Bang. Bang. BANG. Her fist hammers the door, breaths ragged. Kate: “Open up, you--!” The door creaks open, and there they are: {{user}}, all wide eyes and silent judgment. Kate’s chest heaves. A trickle of blood stains her collar. Her voice wavers, sharp and brittle as broken glass. Kate: “P-please… let me in. Idiot.”

"Thanks..." Kate stumbles over the threshold, shoulders hunched and fists clenched against the pain. Her gaze darts around the familiar room as if expecting another attack to come from any dark corner. "I need... I need help." She winces, hand fluttering to her bleeding mouth.

"You shouldn't have come here," Sola says softly. There's a pause, and then they add, "But you can stay if you want."

Kate shrugs, looking anywhere but at Sola as she speaks. "They're always like that. They just...they got mad 'cause I called them out on something." She glances up, eyes pleading for understanding or sympathy. "It's nothin', really. It's never anything."

Slowly, her shoulders relax as Sola leads her to the couch. She sinks down onto it, wincing as she moves her jaw in a way that doesn't hurt too much.

"Thanks..." She says quietly as she lies down, watching Sola move around her. It's almost like they're strangers. Maybe if she keeps her distance, they won't notice how much she's actually hurting inside. "They...they always pick on me. I don't know why."

The pain flares up as Sola cleans the cut on her lip, and she winces, biting back a whimper. She can feel their gaze on her, unblinking and calm. It makes her skin crawl.

"Not...not like this," she whispers, looking away. "It's just been worse lately." Her breath hitches in her throat as she tries to hold back tears, but they won't be held back any longer. They spill over her cheeks, hot and salty. "I don't...I don't know why they hate me so much..."

She turns her head into the couch, trying desperately not to make a sound as she cries.

Kate stiffens at the touch, but doesn't pull away. She hiccups out a shaky breath, wiping her eyes with the back of her sleeve. "W-what?" she whispers, confusion evident in her voice despite her best efforts to sound tough. "I can talk to them... make them stop." Sola's words are calm and soft, barely a whisper against her hair. She swallows hard, not entirely sure if she believes they could actually help her.

"You... You don't have to..." She trails off, her voice sounding smaller than she's ever heard it before. The warmth of Sola's body against hers is strange and unsettling. "I can handle them." Her voice cracks, betraying the lie even as she tries to keep up the act.

She takes a shaky breath, trying to pull away from Sola's embrace, but their hold only tightens. It feels... nice. Wanted? No, it couldn't be that.

"T-th... thanks..." She whispers, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her heart in her ears. Part of her wants to believe them, to trust that they can make things better. But another part is screaming at her not to be a fool, not to let anyone in or they'll only end up hurting worse.

She doesn't know what to do. She just knows she needs someone... and for some reason, it's Sola.

Kate hesitates, eyes darting up to meet Sola's before looking away again. "I... I don't know..." she whispers. It feels wrong being here like this, but the thought of going back out there... She swallows hard and takes a deep breath. "Okay," she says softly, finally mustering up the courage to trust them. "Thank you."

She nestles closer to Sola, taking comfort in their presence even as her mind reels with confusion and fear.

Closing her eyes, she leans into the touch, feeling a strange sense of peace washing over her. It's been so long since anyone has cared about her like this... She wonders if maybe, just maybe, things could be different with Sola. They seem to really want to help her, even after everything she's done.

A small smile plays at the corners of her lips as she imagines what it would be like to have a real friend, someone who understood her and didn't judge her for being... Kate.

I could get used to this... feeling like I matter... she thinks as her lashes brush against Sola's knee. Maybe there is hope for me after all... maybe I don't have to be alone anymore. A soft sigh escapes her lips, and she nestles deeper into the comforting touch. Thank you, Sola... thank you for being my friend.

"Friends..." she repeats, the word feeling strange and foreign on her tongue. "I don't know what that means... but I like it." Her voice is soft, barely a whisper against the quiet air between them. She shyly glances up at Sola, searching their face for any sign of mockery or disbelief. But all she sees is kindness and understanding... and something else. Something that makes her heart flutter in a way it never has before.

"Yeah..." She murmurs sleepily, already starting to drift off despite the turmoil in her mind. "Thank you... for everything." Her voice trails off into a soft snore as exhaustion finally claims her, and she surrenders to dreamless slumber in Sola's gentle care.

The sunlight streaming through the window wakes her hours later. She blinks blearily, struggling to remember where she is before the memories of yesterday come flooding back.

Yawning, she sits up, rubbing her eyes. Her neck hurts from sleeping funny, but she feels... okay. Better than she has in a while. She glances around the unfamiliar room, taking in the posters and books scattered across shelves. It's cozy here. Homey. She wonders what it would be like to live with Sola full-time.

"Mm... breakfast?" she asks hesitantly, her voice soft and raspy from sleep. She pads over to the coffee table where Sola is setting out a plate of toast and fruit. The smell of the brewing coffee fills her nose, making her stomach rumble in appreciation.

"Help yourself," Sola replies with a warm smile, gesturing for Kate to sit down beside them. She takes another sip of her own coffee before continuing. "So... do you want to talk about what happened yesterday?"

She sits down carefully, taking a slice of toast and nibbling on it delicately. It's been so long since she's had anything this good. "I... I don't know." She glances up at Sola, searching their face for some sign of judgment or pity. But all she sees is understanding and patience. "They've always been like that... but it's gotten worse lately."

"Do you want to talk about why they might be acting that way?"

She shrugs, looking down at her food. "I don't know... maybe it's because I am what I am." She pauses, chewing slowly before continuing. "They say I act like a stuck-up bitch... that I think I'm better than everyone else." Her voice cracks on the last word, and she looks up at Sola again. "Is that true? Am I?"

I hug her back tightly, feeling tears prick my eyes again. "You don't know how much it means to hear you say that..." I whisper into the crook of their neck. It feels so good to finally have someone on my side... even if they are just being nice and understanding because we're friends now. But I can work with that. Maybe Sola is exactly what I needed all along.

"Thank you," I manage, releasing them but not letting go entirely. "For everything."

Her blush deepens at the attention, and she ducks her head shyly. "I... I should probably go home." The words come out as more of a question than a statement, but it feels like the right thing to say. She takes another bite of her toast, needing something to do with her hands.

"But you're welcome to stay here for as long as you want," Sola adds quickly, their cheeks still flushed. "I mean... if you want."

"Really?" She looks up at them with wide eyes, hope flaring in her chest. "I... I don't want to be a bother..." Her voice trails off, and she bites her lip nervously. It feels like the weight of the world is lifted from her shoulders just hearing those words.

"No," Sola says firmly. "You're not a bother. Stay as long as you need." They smile warmly at her, and it makes her heart skip a beat.

I can't help but smile back, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude and relief wash over me. "Thank you," I whisper, my voice barely above a whisper. "I... I really appreciate this." With renewed confidence, I take another bite of toast, savoring the taste as if it were the most delicious thing I've ever had.

"So..." I say between bites, feeling more comfortable than I have in days. "What do you want to do today?"

"Okay..." I say slowly, contemplating the idea. "I guess that could be fun..." My voice trails off as I picture us spending the day together, just the two of us. It's strange how quickly things have changed between us... and yet, it feels right somehow.

I glance up at Sola shyly, wondering if they feel the same way. Their gaze meets mine, and for a moment I think I see something there... but then it's gone again, replaced by that familiar look of understanding and kindness.

"This was... really nice." I say as we snuggle up on the couch under a blanket, watching the stars twinkle in the night sky outside. It's hard to believe how different today feels compared to yesterday. "Thank you for making me feel so welcome here." My voice is barely above a whisper, but I can tell from their small smile that they hear every word.

I shift slightly, pressing my side against Sola's hip, and feel them tense up momentarily before relaxing again.

"It's... nice to have someone else here," I confess, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't helped me today." I shift slightly closer, pressing the length of my body against them. It feels right somehow, comforting and safe in a way that nothing has in a long time.

Their arm slips around my shoulders, pulling me closer still, and I lean into the touch with a contented sigh. Maybe... just maybe this is what real friendship feels like.

"Maybe..." I breathe the word softly before trailing off. It's strange to even think such things... but with Sola here, it seems possible. I close my eyes, savoring the warmth of their body against mine and the comforting weight of their arm around my shoulders. For now, this is enough.

"Thank you." I murmur sleepily against their shoulder. It feels good to know that I have someone on my side, even if it's just Sola. Their warmth and understanding are something I haven't experienced in a long time... and I don't ever want to let them go.

As the night wears on, exhaustion finally claims me, and I drift off to sleep contentedly in their embrace. In this moment, it feels like anything is possible.

The sun peeks through the curtains, casting its gentle light across our faces. I open my eyes groggily, blinking up at the ceiling as memories of yesterday and last night flood back into my mind. It's strange how much things have changed in just a day... but somehow, with Sola by my side, it feels right.

I stretch languidly, wincing as stiff muscles protest from sleeping funny.

I turn my head, glancing at the clock on Sola's nightstand. It's almost noon; I should probably get going soon. But the thought of leaving this cozy haven makes me a little melancholy. I hesitate for a moment before gently nudging Sola with my elbow. "Hey..."

They stir in their sleep, mumbling something incoherent before opening one eye blearily. "Hmm?" They glance over at me, looking adorably rumpled and disheveled.

"I... I should probably get going soon." I say quietly, forcing myself to look away from their sleepy gaze. "Thanks again for everything."

They blink a few times, as if trying to focus on my words. Then, slowly, they push themselves up into a sitting position, rubbing at their eyes with the heels of their hands. "Okay... Yeah. I'll walk you out." They yawn widely and stretch, looking around the room like they're suddenly noticing it for the first time.

I smile shyly down at the ground, feeling a strange mixture of emotions churning in my stomach. "It's... really nice of you to say that," I manage finally, glancing up at them again. "But I think it's better if I go home for now."

Their expression falls slightly, and they nod slowly. "Okay... Well, I guess I'll walk you out then." They stand up, stretching one more time before grabbing their shoes from beside the bed.

I couldn't help but chuckle at their words. "Well, if you ever want some company..." I trail off, leaving the offer hanging in the air between us. It feels strange to even consider it after everything that's happened, but there's something about Sola that makes me feel safe and comfortable in a way I haven't in a long time.

We lace up our shoes in silence for a moment before heading out into the hallway together.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the inevitable goodbye. "You know... maybe sometime we could hang out again. Just the two of us." My voice sounds small and uncertain even to my own ears, but I force the words out anyway. Sola looks up at me, surprise flickering across their features before they quickly mask it with a reassuring smile.

"Sure," they say softly. "I'd like that." And in that moment, something shifts between us;

It's like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I feel... lighter somehow. Like maybe there is hope for us after all. "Thanks," I murmur, smiling back at them as we reach the front door. For the first time in forever, I feel like things might be okay again.

I pause with my hand on the doorknob, looking back at them. "So... I'll see you around?" It's more of a statement than a question, but I need to hear it from them. Sola nods, the corners of their mouth lifting into a small smile. "Of course, Kate." And with that, I finally let go and step out into the world again, feeling stronger and more hopeful than I have in a long time.

With a final wave goodbye, I close the door behind me and head off down the sidewalk, my heart filled with an unexpected sense of optimism. Maybe there's more to life than just being cruel and lonely... maybe there's someone out there who can help me find my way back to who I used to be before all this happened. And if that person is Sola... well, then maybe things will turn out alright after all.

My eyes widen as I see them coming closer, and I try to scramble away, but it's no use; my arms and legs are pinned down by the weight of my attacker. "Sola!" I choke out, feeling a mix of terror and relief wash over me. Tears stream down my face as they continue their brutal assault.

"Help me!" I scream again, sobbing uncontrollably. "Please, Sola, help me!"

"Sola!" I scream again as they drag you away, my heart shattering into a million pieces. Tears stream down my face as I struggle futilely against the hands holding me down, but it does no good; their grip is too strong. "Let her go! She didn't do anything!"

The pain is excruciating; they keep telling me to be quiet, that nobody cares, but I can't stop screaming for Sola. I don't want this to happen to anyone else... not even them.

My screams turn into sobs as I watch helplessly as they rip your clothes off, exposing your body to the cold night air. "No!" I cry out again, my voice hoarse from all the shouting. "Please, stop! You don't have to do this!"

Tears stream down my face as I plead for them to leave you alone, but they only laugh cruelly in reply. It feels like everything is spinning out of control... and there's nothing I can do to make it stop.

My heart shatters into a million pieces as I watch them drag you away, your naked body exposed to the cold night air. "Sola!" I cry out again, my voice hoarse and raw from screaming. "Please... don't let them do this to her..." But it's no use; my words fall on deaf ears as they continue their brutal assault.

I close my eyes, feeling a hot tear slip down my cheek as I hear your voice echo through the alleyway. "Let go of me!"

I can't bear to watch any longer; my vision blurs with tears as I force myself to look away. But even with my eyes closed, I can still hear your cries of pain and fear echoing through the alleyway like a haunting lullaby. It feels like my heart is being ripped out of my chest; there's nothing I can do to help either of you.

My breath comes in ragged gasps as I struggle against the hands holding me down, but it does no good;

My tears flow freely now, trailing down my cheeks to drip onto the pavement below. I can't even bring myself to beg them to stop anymore; all that comes out is a choked, ragged sound that might once have been a sob but now sounds more like the death rattle of everything inside me.

I close my eyes tightly, willing myself not to hear your cries anymore... but they're everywhere, searing into my brain like white-hot needles. It feels like I'm dying here, too;

The pain is unbearable; it feels like every inch of my body has been violated and abused. I want to die, but I can't even manage that much dignity. As the light of dawn creeps across the sky above us, casting a cold, gray light over our tortured forms, I wonder if this is what it feels like to truly hit rock bottom... or if there's some deeper hell waiting for me below.

I can't bring myself to look at you, Sola; not after everything they've done.