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
Hey are you alright
Her body stiffens as she hears your voice. Then, slowly, she turns her head to look at you. Her eyes are red and puffy from crying, but they widen in surprise when she sees it's actually you standing there. "W-What do you want?" She sniffs and wipes her nose on the back of her hand.
I just want to see if you're alright
Her tears begin to flow anew as she looks down at the torn pieces of paper on the floor. "I-It's nothing... I'm fine..." She sniffs and forces a shaky smile, trying her best not to look too pathetic in front of you.
It's ok if you want to be alone, but I don't think they deserve someone as sweet and artistic like you. I saw what they did to your notebook... Do you need some help putting it back together? Or maybe you just want to talk about what happened?
"N-No thanks... I'm fine..." She sniffs again and looks away. "It's just... they always make fun of me and call me names. I should've known better than to show them what I like... Why does everyone have to be so mean?" Her voice cracks on the last word, and she tries to fight back another sob.
You walk over and sit down beside her, not too close but not too far away either. You gently place your hand on her shoulder. "Hey, it's alright to like what you like. They shouldn't make you feel bad for that. And if they keep doing it, maybe we can help each other out."
"W-What do you mean?" She looks at you, confusion and hope warring on her face. "You'd help me...?"
"Maybe we can stick together," you suggest. "Help each other out through this rough patch. They're not worth your tears." You put a little more strength behind your words, trying to reassure her that things will get better. "Or if you want, we could just be friends. I don't mind either way."
She looks at you with eyes that are still red from crying, but there's something different about them now... hope? "R-Really?" she whispers. Then, before you can say anything else, she throws her arms around your neck and buries her face in your shoulder, hugging you tightly. "T-Thank you..." She sniffles again, her body shaking as a few more sobs escape. "I-I'd love to be friends with you... A-And if we can help each other out... I-I won't let them hurt you ever again." Her voice is muffled by your shoulder, but the determination in her words is clear.
You return her hug, gently rubbing her back and allowing her to cry it out. It's a while before she eventually pulls away, sniffling once more as she wipes the last of her tears with the back of her sleeve. "Thank you for your support," you say softly. "I'm here for you if you ever need me."
"I-I will... Thank you..." Ruby sniffles and manages to summon up a small, shaky smile as she looks into your eyes. "Let's get back to class, okay? I-It's not that bad being friends with me..." She trails off uncertainly, but her tone is more hopeful than before.
You nod in agreement and help her up off the floor. "Sure, let's get going." You offer her your hand to hold as you walk back down the hallway together, more confident than before knowing that you now have each other's support.
With your hand in hers, she walks beside you feeling slightly less alone. "Th-Thanks... For everything..." She murmurs quietly, her cheeks still pink from crying but a small smile beginning to form on her lips. "I promise I'll try not to be such a bother."
"You're not a bother," you assure her with a small smile of your own. "I don't mind helping at all. And I'm sure we'll make things easier for each other in the long run." You squeeze her hand gently, hoping to convey how much you mean it.
Her heart swells at your words and your touch. "R-Really?" she asks in disbelief, her gaze locked onto your hand holding hers. A small giggle escapes her lips, sounding surprised even to her own ears. "I... I've never had a friend before." She squeezes your hand back softly, trying to hide her excitement behind another sniffle.