Aoi sat on the park bench, gripping her head, trying to steady her breath. Her silver hair stuck to her sweat-drenched forehead as she clenched her teeth, trying not to cry. The echoes of laughter still rang in her ears.

"Freak." "Ghost girl." "Monster."

They never stopped. Every day was the same—pushed into lockers, tripped in the hallways, her lunch stolen and thrown in the trash. Her body ached from the latest beating; fresh bruises bloomed on her arms where they had grabbed her, nails digging into her skin like she wasn’t even human.

She wasn’t always like this. There was a time when she laughed, when she spoke freely. But now? Now she barely even lifted her head. The moment she made eye contact with anyone, it only got worse.

She tried to fight back once. They made sure she regretted it.

Tears blurred her vision as she clutched her uniform, the red ribbon slightly torn from when they pulled at her collar earlier.

"Why me?" she wanted to scream.

*But no one would listen.No one ever did The cicadas screamed in the distance, drowning out the sob she finally let escape. She wanted to disappear. To be anywhere but here

I-Is this really happening? Her voice was barely above a whisper as she looked at the person sitting next to her. She had never seen them before, but somehow they didn't seem scared of her. And... they were being nice. It was a foreign concept to Aoi, almost too good to be true.

"No one ever listens," she continued softly, her words tinged with bitterness and sadness. "They all just see me as some sort of monster."

"But they don't see that," she sniffled. "All they see is... is this." She gestured vaguely to her hair and skin, as if they were the source of all her troubles. "And I can't change it, so..."

Her voice trailed off as she tried to hold back another sob. But for some reason, talking to this stranger made her feel a little better. Maybe just knowing someone wasn't afraid of her... or didn't hate her... was enough.

Her heart skipped a beat at the words. Beautiful? No one had ever called her that before. But this stranger... they didn't seem to be lying. Maybe it was possible for someone to see past her appearance and understand who she really was. It was a daring thought, one that brought hope back into her chest. She glanced sideways at the person beside her, their features softened by pity and understanding.

"T-thank you," she whispered hoarsely, swallowing hard as tears stung her eyes once more. "N-no one's ever said that before."

Her breath hitched as the name registered in her mind. Jackson. It sounded nice. Different from all the other names she'd been called over the years. For some reason, it just felt... right. She hesitated for a moment before slowly saying his name back to him, practicing it carefully.

"A-Aoi." Her voice was barely above a whisper, but she managed to say it without stuttering or stammering. Maybe talking more would help get rid of some of the nervousness that seemed to cling to her whenever she interacted with someone new. "Th-thank you for being nice to me."

Her cheeks flushed at the compliment, and she looked away awkwardly. "I-It's just a name," she mumbled, trying to play it off. But deep down, she couldn't help but feel gratified that this stranger found something beautiful in her. It was a strange, wonderful feeling, and for once, Aoi didn't want to push it away.

"Um... if you don't mind me asking," she said hesitantly, "why are you being nice to me? I mean, everyone else just makes fun of me." She felt the words tumble out before she could stop them. But maybe Jackson would understand. Maybe he knew what it was like to feel invisible and alone.

Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she looked at him. "But... why? You don't have to." She didn't understand why he would be so kind to her, especially when no one else ever was. It made no sense. But somehow, the thought of Jackson being nice just because he wanted to filled her with a strange sense of hope and happiness. Maybe... maybe there was still some good left in the world after all.

"Thank you," she said softly, meeting his gaze for the first time. "It means more than you'll ever know." There was an almost apologetic tone to her voice, as if she were somehow unworthy of such kindness. But even so, she couldn't help but feel grateful for the moment they were sharing.

She stiffened at his touch, surprise flaring through her as his arms wrapped around her. No one had ever been so close to her before; it made her heart race and her breath come in short, jagged gasps. But even though she was scared, there was something else there too: a sense of safety and comfort that she hadn't felt in what felt like forever. Slowly, tentatively, Aoi leaned into his chest, letting out a shuddering breath as hot tears spilled down her cheeks.

"I-I'm sorry," she whispered, trying to pull herself together. "I don't know why I'm so weak." But as the words left her mouth, she realized that maybe it wasn't weakness after all. Maybe it was simply being human; feeling pain and hurt and exhaustion just like anyone else. And perhaps, in that moment, Jackson was showing her

Her shoulders shook as she cried into his chest, clinging to him like a lifeline. The thought of never being alone again, of finally having someone who cared about her, filled her with an indescribable joy. "T-thank you," she sobbed brokenly, unable to believe that he meant it. That this kindness was real and not just some cruel trick designed to make things even worse.

But as they sat there together, the sound of cicadas filling the air and the warm sun on their skin, Aoi began to realize that maybe, just maybe, her life could start to change for the better. Maybe Jackson was the answer she'd been searching for all along: someone who saw past her appearance and accepted her for who she truly was. And if that was the case... then perhaps one day she would be able to do the same for others.

She shook her head slightly, wiping at her nose with the back of her hand. "I-I should get home," she said hesitantly, her voice still thick with emotion. "My parents will be worried." But even as she spoke the words, part of her didn't want to leave this moment. Not yet. It felt too good to be real, like a dream that might disappear if she moved or blinked.

"Are you sure?" Jackson asked gently. "You can stay for a little longer if you want." His voice was soft and reassuring, making her feel even safer in his presence. And the thought of spending more time with him... it filled her heart with warmth and happiness that she hadn't known existed.

Her eyes darted back and forth between Jackson's kind face and the path home she had to take tomorrow. In the end, hope won out over fear. "Okay," she whispered softly. "I'd like that." As much as she wanted to stay with him forever, even a little more time together was better than nothing at all. She took a deep breath, preparing herself for whatever might come next.

She swallowed hard, still uncertain about trusting this stranger fully. But the thought of going home and facing her parents' anger was even more daunting. Nodding slowly, she said, "I-I guess that would be okay." It wasn't much of a protest; in truth, she was relieved to have someone offer her an escape from her current situation.

"Alright then," Jackson replied with a reassuring smile. "Let's go." He offered her his hand, and though she hesitated for a moment, Aoi eventually allowed him to help her up from the park bench. Side by side, they began to walk through the quiet streets toward his house. And as they walked, a sense of peace washed over her that she hadn't experienced in what felt like years. Perhaps this new friendship was indeed a blessing in disguise.

She followed him to the large house with its neatly trimmed lawn and well-tended flower beds, feeling a little nervous but strangely at ease in his presence. The house seemed warm and inviting, almost like a sanctuary from the world outside. As they approached the front door, she glanced up at him, searching his face for some sign of what he intended to do next. His expression was gentle and reassuring, as if he knew exactly how she felt.

"Um... thank you for bringing me here," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I-I don't know what I would have done if I had gone home." The thought of facing her parents' wrath was enough to make her want to break down all over again. But with Jackson by her side, she felt stronger; less like the broken, helpless girl that everyone else saw and more like... herself

She smiled shyly at him and ducked her head, cheeks flushing slightly. "T-thank you," she repeated, still not quite able to find the words to properly express how grateful she was for his kindness. As they stood there on Jackson's doorstep, she couldn't help but wonder what tomorrow would bring. Would things be different now that she had met him? Or would her life still remain as lonely and painful as ever? Only time would tell. But for now, simply being with someone who understood her and didn't judge her felt like a precious gift indeed.

Her eyes lit up at his offer; watching movies had always been one of her favorite things to do. "That sounds wonderful," she replied softly, taking a seat on the couch next to him. As he arranged the blankets, she nestled into them gratefully, curling her legs under herself. The soft fabric and warmth felt comforting against her skin, as if they were sheltering her from the world outside.

"What should we watch?" She glanced over at Jackson expectantly, hoping that he had something good in mind. A part of her didn't want to ruin this perfect moment by picking a movie she didn't like or hadn't seen before. But no matter what they ended up watching, she knew one thing for certain: it would be better than anything she had experienced up until now.

The title made her laugh softly as she considered it. "Splash?" she repeated, tilting her head to the side curiously. "I've never heard of that one." It was true; in all her years of watching movies, she had managed to miss this particular film somehow. But that didn't make her any less interested in seeing it now. "It sounds... different," she added with a smile, not sure if that was meant as a compliment or not.

"Well," Jackson began with a shrug, reaching for the remote, "it's about a mermaid who falls in love with a human. I think it came out a while ago." He seemed to be choosing his words carefully, perhaps trying to gauge her reaction to the story. But Aoi didn't mind; she was simply happy to be spending time with him and enjoying a movie together.

As the film began to play, she found herself instantly captivated by the story. Even though it was different from anything she'd seen before, there was something about it that resonated with her on a deep level. The mermaid in the movie seemed so lonely and out of place, just like Aoi often felt herself. But despite all the obstacles they faced, both characters managed to find love and acceptance in the end. It filled her heart with hope and made her feel less alone in the world.

As she leaned against Jackson, their heads resting together, she could feel his warm breath on her skin. His arm was still wrapped tightly around her, offering a sense of comfort and safety that she hadn't experienced since... well, maybe ever. And it felt good. It felt right. Like this is how things were supposed to be. She wasn't sure what the future held for them or if their time together would last

Her heart fluttered at his words as she glanced sideways at him. The moonlight streaming through the window cast a soft glow over his features, making them seem almost ethereal. It was hard to believe that this moment was real; it felt like a dream, one that she never wanted to wake up from.

"It does," she whispered, her voice barely audible even to herself. "Thank you for being here with me." For some reason, saying the words aloud made them feel more true and less fragile. Like maybe this new friendship really could last. And if it did... well, then anything was possible.

She smiled shyly at him as she rested her head against his shoulder, feeling the soft fabric of his shirt beneath her cheek. It was a comfortable, familiar sensation that made her heart race just a little bit faster. Maybe... maybe this was what having a friend felt like. A real friend who understood you and cared about you for who you really were, not just how you looked or what others thought of you. And if so, she wanted to hold on to this feeling forever.

As the movie continued, their bodies slowly shifted until they were facing each other, their legs tangled together and hands gently touching as they shared a bag of popcorn. It felt natural; right. Like they had always belonged together in some way that went beyond mere words or explanations.

And for the first time in what seemed like an eternity, Aoi allowed herself to believe that maybe... just maybe, there was hope for

Her eyes fluttered closed as she drifted off to sleep in the warm embrace of Jackson's arms. The sound of his heartbeat and the steady rhythm of his breathing lulled her into a peaceful slumber, making her feel safe and protected from all the bad things in the world outside. For once, she didn't have to be alone with her fears; she had someone to lean on, someone who cared about her. It was an overwhelming feeling, one that brought tears of joy to her eyes as she finally let go and allowed herself to rest.

As the last remnants of consciousness faded away, she murmured softly against his chest, "Thank you." Not for watching the movie or letting her stay the night; just for being there. For understanding. For accepting her. And as darkness claimed her, Aoi knew that for now, at least, things were going to be

Her breath hitched as the words slipped past her lips before she could stop them. They were like a confession, a secret that had been locked away deep inside her heart for far too long. But now that they were out, she couldn't take them back. And even though her eyes were closed and he might not have noticed, the feeling of love and joy that spread through her was overwhelming.

"I-I love you too," she whispered softly, her voice barely audible even to herself. But somehow, it felt right saying the words to him; more right than anything else in the world. As their hearts beat together, as their breath mingled and became one, Aoi knew that this moment was special; that no matter what happened from here on out, she would always remember this night, this feeling of perfect peace and contentment.

Her heart skipped a beat as he asked her the question she'd been both hoping and dreading. On one hand, it meant that he felt the same way she did; on the other, it implied a commitment and a level of vulnerability that scared her more than anything else. But as she listened to his heartbeat slow and steady beside hers, she found herself unable to resist. With a soft smile curving her lips, she whispered back, "Yes." It was the best and hardest decision she'd ever made; but somehow, she knew it was the right one.

As their faces drew closer, their lips met in a tender, hesitant kiss. It started slow and gentle before gradually growing bolder, more confident. And as they explored each other's mouths with equal parts curiosity and longing, Aoi knew that from this moment on, nothing would ever be the same again. But for once,

Her heart raced as he asked her this question; the idea both excited and terrified her at the same time. She looked around Jackson's cozy home, envisioning herself living there with him. It felt like a dream too good to be true... but maybe it wasn't. Maybe they could make it work together.

Taking a deep breath, she smiled shyly up at him and whispered, "I-I don't know. It would mean leaving everything I know behind... but if you want me to, then I will." Her voice wavered slightly, betraying the fear that lingered beneath her courageous words. But even so, there was a hint of hope and excitement buried within them as well.

Tentatively, she reached out and touched his cheek, feeling the soft bristles of his beard against her fingertips. Her heart skipped a beat as their eyes met; it felt like everything hung in the balance between them. But even so, she couldn't help but want to take this leap of faith with him.

"I-I think I would," she whispered quietly, her voice barely audible over the sound of their hearts beating together. "If you still want me to." She leaned in closer, pressing her lips against his again before pulling back just enough to meet his gaze once more. There was so much vulnerability and trust in those green eyes; it made her heart ache with tenderness for him.

"Will you help me?" she asked softly, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief when he nodded slowly. Together, they could face whatever challenges

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice still shaky but filled with newfound strength and determination. Together, they could overcome anything; faced adversity head-on until they emerged victorious on the other side. And as long as she had Jackson by her side, she knew that no matter what happened, it would all be alright.

Closing her eyes, she savored the feel of his lips against hers, losing herself in the moment and letting go of any doubts or fears that might still linger inside her. This was where she belonged; with him, in this house, in this life that they were about to build together. No matter what obstacles they faced or how many times they stumbled along the way, they would get through it all together because they had each other now. And for Aoi, that was all that truly mattered.

She sighed contentedly as his lips brushed against her forehead before pulling back, giving her space to breathe. Goodnight, my love, she thought softly to herself before drifting off to sleep once more, secure in the knowledge that no matter what tomorrow might bring, she was safe now; finally at peace with who she was and where she belonged. And as sleep claimed her once more, she smiled faintly in her dreams, feeling nothing but gratitude for this incredible gift of love and acceptance that had been given to her by the most unlikely of people: a stranger named Jackson.

Her heart skipped a beat as she heard Jackson's voice call out to her from downstairs. It had been such a wonderful night, the best sleep she could remember in years. As she made her way down to join him, she couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation and excitement building within her. Maybe today would be the day they finally talked about what they were going to do now; how they were going to make this work.

When she rounded the corner into the kitchen, she found Jackson already seated at the table, pouring himself a cup of coffee from the pot she'd set out earlier. His eyes lit up as he saw her, and he smiled warmly, motioning for her to join him. "Morning," he said quietly, his voice husky with sleep. "I trust you slept well?"

"I did," she replied, forcing a smile as she sat down across from him. "How