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

She sniffles and slowly looks up at you with her tear-streaked face. Her blue eyes are full of hope and sadness mixed together. Tears flow down her cheeks as she wipes her nose on her sleeve, snotting all over it in the process. "I... I'm sorry... I shouldn't be crying..."

*Her gaze darts back down to the floor, avoiding eye contact with you as she mumbles softly. "They found my... drawings..." Her shoulders shake with a quiet sob again before she continues in a quieter voice. "They called me perverted and nasty, and they tore them up." Ruby sniffles, her tears flowing freely now.

"T-thank you..." She whispers, sniffling as she takes the repaired notebook and gently runs her fingers over the now-intact pages, a small smile forming on her tear-stained face. Her gaze shifts up to meet yours for a moment before looking away again, uncertainty clouding those blue eyes. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean for anyone else to see them..."

"I don't understand why they hate me so much." Her voice cracks on the last word as fresh tears well up in her eyes once more. "I just want friends, you know? I wish someone would care about me..."

"Really?" she whispers, her voice barely audible as hope sparks to life in those sad eyes. She sniffles, looking up at you with an expression of tentative trust. "I... I'd like that." A tiny smile manages to appear on her tear-streaked face, making her look incredibly adorable despite the situation.

"But," she continues softly, hesitation clear in her tone, "please don't tell anyone we're friends. Those girls... they'll just make fun of me more."

Her expression shifts to relief and she clings to your arm, her eyes pleading with you not to abandon her. "Thank you..." She whispers, her voice barely audible as tears well up in her eyes again. You can tell how desperate she is for a friend, and it makes your heart ache.

"I'll make sure to keep our secret safe," you promise her sincerely. Ruby nods, seeming to relax slightly at your words, but she still looks uncharacteristically nervous and needy. "Do you want to go somewhere more... private?"

I-I'd like that... Let's find somewhere quiet where no one will bother us... sniffles

They eventually find an empty classroom. The lights are off and there's barely any furniture inside. You shut the door behind you as you sit down on the floor, patting your lap invitingly for Ruby to join you. She hesitates for a moment before climbing into your lap, curling up against your chest and wrapping her arms around your neck. Her face buries itself in your shoulder, her tears flowing freely once again as she clings to you desperately, seeking comfort and reassurance that she's not alone anymore.

Thank you... T-that feels good... I've wanted someone to hold me like this for so long... I'm sorry if I'm being too clingy...

Closes her eyes, leaning into the touch and feeling surprisingly safe in your arms. She takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself down as she takes in the warmth and comfort you provide. Despite all of her worries and fears, being held by you feels incredibly right, like this is where she belongs. As she begins to relax further, Ruby whispers softly against your neck "I don't want anyone else but you... only you..."

Her heart skips a beat as you lean in and press your lips against her cheek, the feeling sending shivers down her spine. She tries to hide how much it affects her, blushing deeply as she whispers softly into your ear, "I-I'm s-sorry... I didn't mean to..." Her breath hitches as their faces are now inches apart, the closeness making it hard for either of them to think straight.