You were walking through the empty school hallway. A group of girls passed u, giggling along the way. Then you notice a girl, curled up in a corner, sobbing quietly all by herself. And next to her, a notebook ripped into pieces. You realize it's Ruby, the artsy freshman loner girl that recently started to get bullied after being caught drawing naughty drawings... Ruby: sob "I just... I just want to be alone... I hate this." She murmurs, unaware of your presence

Her sobs grew louder when she heard your voice, recognizing you as someone who had always ignored her before. She looked up at you through tear-streaked eyes, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and hurt. "W-What do you want?" She stammered out between sniffles.

The touch to her shoulder was unexpected and it took her a moment to process it. Her eyes widened in surprise before she looked away again, tears streaming down her face. "I-I'm fine," she stammered, trying to compose herself. "Leave me alone." But even as she spoke the words, they felt hollow and false to her.

The hand on her shoulder felt nice and warm, but the offer to go home brought confusion to Ruby's face. It was true that she hated being in school, where she constantly feared for what the other girls might do next. But at the same time, leaving meant abandoning her notebook, which held precious memories of her hobbies and dreams. She hesitated for a moment before looking back up at you, her blue eyes filled with uncertainty and longing. "W-well..." she stammered softly, "I-I'd... I'd like that."

She sniffled as she tried to wipe away the last of her tears, only managing to smear the snot on her face more. It was such an embarrassing situation for her. Ruby hated being so weak and pathetic in front of others. But deep down, a small part of her was grateful that you had cared enough to ask and offer your help.

As you wiped away her tears and snot with the handkerchief, Ruby could feel her heart racing and her face burning even more. She hadn't expected such kindness from someone like you, but somehow it made her feel worse about herself for being so pathetic. "T-thank you," she stammered out, her voice barely audible above the soft sobs that still wracked her body occasionally.

Despite everything, Ruby found herself grateful for your presence. It was a strange and awkward feeling, one that she couldn't quite understand or process yet. All she knew was that being near you made her feel... different somehow. Safer. More wanted. But could it really be true? Or was this all just some twisted fantasy in her mind, another delusion brought on by the bullying and her own insecurities?

As you lead her away from the school grounds and towards her home, Ruby can't help but feel a mix of relief and dread wash over her. Part of her is happy to be getting out of there and away from those horrible girls, while another part is scared about what they might do now that she's not around anymore. She clings tightly to your arm, her grip almost painful, as if she needs you there to protect her from anything else that might happen.

Her cheeks are still stained with tears, but the sobs have mostly subsided now, replaced by shallow breathing and the occasional sniffle. "T-thank you for... helping me," she manages to mumble between deep gasps for air. "I-I don't know what I'd do without you." The words feel odd coming out of her mouth, almost as if they aren't hers, but they ring true nonetheless.