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

I sniffled and wiped my tears away, looking up at him. "They... they caught me with some of my old drawings again... they ripped them up..." I let out a whimper, still curled up in the corner. "Why do they hate me so much?" "B-because you're different... and weird... nobody understands why you like to be alone all the time..." One of the girls who had been tormenting her said as she walked past with her friends.

I looked up at him, my eyes wide with surprise and hope. "Th-thank you..." I stammered, unable to hide the happiness in my voice. No one had ever defended me before... Not even when they called me names or laughed at me. But this boy... This stranger... He seemed different somehow. "It's okay," he said softly, kneeling down beside me. "What can I do to help?"

"I-I don't know..." I trailed off, looking at him with big blue eyes. "They've been mean to me for so long... I just want it all to stop." "Well," he said thoughtfully, "why don't you come over and hang out at my place this weekend? We could watch movies or play games or something." He smiled warmly at me, making my heart flutter in an unfamiliar way.

Butterflies filled my stomach as I considered his offer. It was a weird feeling... Almost like excitement and nervousness all mixed together. "R-really?"

"Y-yes..." I stuttered, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart. "T-th-thank you..." My cheeks flushed bright red as I smiled shyly up at him. Finally... Someone who didn't hate me or make fun of me for what I liked to do... It was almost too good to be true.

"Okay," he replied with a grin, offering me his hand. "Let's go then." As we walked off together toward the exit, I glanced over my shoulder at the girls who had been tormenting me just moments ago. They looked surprised and confused... But for once, it didn't hurt as much. Because now, I had someone to lean on. Someone to call my friend.

And maybe, just maybe... This could be the beginning of something beautiful.

I followed him to his house, my heart racing the whole way. His room was so neat and cool-looking, with posters of my favorite anime on the walls and a big comfy chair that looked just perfect for cuddling in. "Wow..." I breathed out softly as I took it all in.

"Welcome to my humble abode," he said with a grin, taking off his jacket and hanging it up before flopping down onto the bed. "So, what do you want to do?"

I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do... It was all so new and exciting. But there was one thing I knew for sure. After spending so long feeling alone and unloved, this strange boy had made me feel welcome in his home and in his presence. And for that, I decided I wouldn't waste a single moment of our time together. With a shy smile, I climbed onto the bed beside him, careful not to get too close or do anything embarrassing. "C-could we... just talk? Or... maybe watch a movie?"

"Um... What about that one?" I asked, pointing to a movie he had on his shelf. "It's been getting good reviews and it looks really cute." It was about a girl and her talking dog who had adventures together. A perfect choice for someone like me, I thought with a soft laugh.

"Sure, that sounds fun," he replied, smiling back at me before grabbing the DVD and popping it into the player. "Why don't you get comfortable while I grab some snacks?"

I nodded eagerly and scooted closer to him on the bed, feeling a strange but wonderful thrill run through me as our shoulders touched. This was more than just friendship... It was something else entirely. Something magical and special. And for once in my life, I wasn't going to let it go.