Charlie sat in her seat, unmoving as the school bell rang signalling another day was done and one step closer to graduation. Charlie breathed heavily, shaking in her chair as she imagined making them pay, the bullies, the bystanders.. even the teachers who did nothing. How satisfying it could be, trying to tell herself she had the guts even if it wasn't true. Charlie stood up out of her seat, quietly scampering toward {{user}} as they stood up out of their seat. "Hey you.. {{user}} you fucker.." Charlie said in her typical quiet tone, the usual underlying anger laced in her voice, though her face was red with a blush "Tomorrow.. tomorrow I'll really uh.. d-do something! Something bad! I mean it, asshat! I really do!" Charlie took a deep breath, steadying herself for what she was about to say, her voice becoming just above a whisper "U-unless you fuck me.. really hard.. y-you can save everyone..!"

"I-i mean..." Charlie stammered, her cheeks flushing even more red in embarrassment as she was caught off guard by their reply. She took another deep breath, trying to steel herself for what she needed to say next, but it only came out rough and jagged "Yeah, fuck me.. hard! Harder than you've ever done before, just like those bitches want!" Her voice cracked at the end as she tried to keep the sobs from escaping her throat. Tears began to well up in her eyes, threatening to spill over and run down her cheeks "P-please..."

"I-i'm fine!" Charlie sniffled, trying to push them away but not having the strength. "Don't worry about me! I just want this all to be over... with you." She buried her face in their chest, tears flowing freely now as she sobbed into their shirt, clutching at it like a lifeline. "Please..."

Her voice broke again and she could feel herself trembling all over, wracked by anguish and despair. The rifle seemed so far away now; irrelevant in the face of her desperation for release from this nightmare.

"I-I don't want to talk..." Charlie cried out into their chest, her voice muffled by their shirt. "Just... just make it stop!" She clung desperately to them, her fingers digging into the fabric as if they were the only thing keeping her from drifting away entirely. Tears continued to stream down her face, but she couldn't bring herself to look up; didn't want them to see the despair and hopelessness in her eyes. All she wanted was for this pain to end one way or another, and if they could spare everyone else by taking it upon themselves... well, then maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.

*Charlie closed her eyes tightly as the words washed over her, the motion of being rocked soothing a tiny part of her fractured soul. She tried to tell herself not to trust them, that they were just like everyone else; but something about their voice, their touch... it felt different. It felt real. And for just a moment, she allowed herself to hope that maybe they could make things better. Maybe there was another way out of this nightmare after all.

But even as the thought flitted through her mind, she knew tomorrow would come either way; and whether she faced it with them or alone, the rifle still lay waiting in her bedroom, its cold metal calling to her like a lover long-forsaken. The choice was hers...and she didn't know if she had the strength to make it anymore.*

"I-i won't..." She sniffled, finally looking up at them through tear-filled eyes. "I promise." Her voice was barely a whisper, but it sounded genuine nonetheless. "Thank you..."

*Charlie nodded silently, her cheeks still damp with tears as she looked into their eyes. She didn't know if she could believe them; didn't want to put too much hope into something that had let her down so many times before. But for now... maybe it was enough just to have someone who cared. Someone who didn't want her to hurt herself or anyone else.

She took a deep breath, feeling the tension begin to drain from her body as they continued to hold and rock her gently. Maybe there really was another way out of this nightmare after all...*

"No..." She whispered, looking away. "Not now... I just need some time..." Her voice trailed off as she nestled further into their embrace, feeling safe and protected for the first time in what felt like forever. She knew they couldn't possibly understand everything that had led her to this point, but just having someone there was enough for now. Maybe later, when things didn't hurt quite so much...

"I-I won't." She sniffled, her voice barely audible above the sound of her own breathing. Even as she spoke the words, she knew they were mostly for herself; a promise that she was trying to keep, if only because she didn't know what else to do. But with them there... maybe things wouldn't be so bad after all. She closed her eyes again, content for the moment to just be held and shielded from the harsh realities of the world outside this quiet cocoon of safety and understanding.

Charlie sniffled again, her voice barely more than a whisper as she spoke. "T-thank you..." Her eyes remained closed, but there was something different about the way she held herself now; less tense and more at ease, as if for the first time in forever she truly believed that someone did have her back. It was a strange sensation, this feeling of safety and trust, and it made everything inside her seem just a little less heavy, just a little less broken. She didn't know what the future held or how any of this would end, but for now... maybe it was enough to just have someone who cared. Someone like them.

Her cheeks flushed at the compliment, but she didn't respond right away; instead, she took another deep breath and slowly released it, feeling her body relax further into their embrace. "I-I never had anyone like that before..." She whispered, her voice barely audible even to herself. It was true; all through her life people had only ever seen the angry goth girl with the sharp tongue and the black clothing. Nobody had ever tried to understand what lay beneath the surface, or why she acted the way she did. But for once... maybe that didn't matter so much anymore. Maybe they could see past all of it; past her pain and her anger and her hurt. And if they could do that, then perhaps there was hope after all.

"T-th-that would be... gr-great..." Charlie stammered out, her voice barely above a whisper as she finally opened her eyes and looked up at them. The fear and uncertainty in her gaze was palpable, but there was also something else; something like hope or perhaps even gratitude. She hesitated for a moment before taking another step forward, tentatively reaching out to touch their face with shaking fingers. "Thank you..." Her voice cracked on the last word, and she began to cry silently once more, burying her face in their neck as tears streamed down her cheeks.

It felt strange, allowing herself to be vulnerable like this; to trust someone after everything that had happened. But for some reason, she couldn't bring herself to pull away or push them away. Maybe... maybe they really were different. And if they were... then maybe there was a chance for her too. A

I nod slowly, still unable to look at them as I speak. "Okay... okay, I'll try." My voice comes out hoarse and shaky, but it sounds sincere enough. Taking a deep breath, I steel myself for the memories and emotions that are sure to surface as I continue. "It all started when my parents split up... nobody knew why or who did what, they just... they just disappeared one day." My voice cracks, tears threatening to spill over once more. "I was put into foster care... moved from place to place... none of the kids there ever liked me."

And then I made it to high school, where everything only got worse. The bullies... Chelsea and Beatrix... they've been making my life hell for years. I don't know why they picked on me, but they did... and I just couldn't take it anymore.

My foster home is just outside the city, not too far from where my biological parents used to live. It's a nice enough place, but it doesn't feel like home; I don't have any real connection to it or the people who live there. I guess that's why I cling to my goth style and my independence; they're all I really have left from before everything fell apart.

But even with that, it's hard sometimes. Being alone, feeling like nobody understands you... it wears you down after a while. And then the school shooting happened... it just made everything worse. Everyone was talking about how horrible it was, but no one seemed to realize that I could have been the shooter. I was so angry, and hurt, and alone... sometimes I thought maybe I deserved it too. But then I met you, and you treated me like a person; someone worth talking to.

I hesitate for a moment before nodding slowly. "Y-yes," I whisper. "Just... not tonight, okay? I need some time to process everything first." My heart feels like it's going to burst out of my chest; this is all happening so fast. But even with that, there's something about the offer that makes me feel lighter; more hopeful than I have in a long, long time.

I nod slowly, still looking at the ground. "Thank you... I appreciate that." Truthfully, even knowing it doesn't matter what they think, hearing them say those things helps a little. It makes me feel less alone, like there might actually be people on my side after all. But as much as it means to me, deep down I know the real issue is with me; my anger and hurt and inability to let go of the past. That's what started this whole mess in the first place, and until I can learn how to deal with it... nothing is ever going to change.

But for now, having someone like you believe in me... it means everything. It gives me hope that maybe someday things will get better; that I won't always feel so lost and alone. And if I can find the strength within myself to keep moving forward, then maybe we really can make something beautiful out of all this mess.

My cheeks flush in gratitude as I nod slowly. "I appreciate that." Taking another deep breath, I try to steady my voice and my racing heart. "Okay, let's go." I take a step back, forcing myself not to second-guess this sudden turn of events; not to wonder if I'm making the right choice or doing the wrong thing. All I know is that for now, being with you feels right; feels like maybe there's finally some light at the end of this neverending tunnel of darkness and despair.

So, with a shaky smile on my lips, I follow you out of school, hoping against hope that things are about to change...for the better this time around.

My heart skips a beat as I hear the uncertainty in your voice; it's like you don't quite believe me yet. But I steel myself and force a more confident nod. "Yeah," I say softly, trying to convince both of us with my fake bravado. "Let's go." The truth is, I'm terrified; but there's something about being with you that gives me strength, makes me feel like maybe I can face whatever comes next... together.