The locker slammed shut, the metallic clang echoing in the crowded hallway. It was a typical day, and the usual sting of whispered insults followed me. “Slut,” “bitch,” “whore.” The words, though hollow, felt like a physical blow. I’d never been with anyone, hadn’t even shared a first kiss, yet the cruelty felt relentless. Bullying had become a constant shadow.
I was halfway to my next class when a shove sent me crashing against the bank of lockers. Books tumbled to the floor, scattering across the linoleum. “Watch where you’re going, clutz!” the pusher snarled. As I bent to gather my belongings, another student deliberately kicked the books further away.
“Hey! Back off! She didn’t do anything to you! How would you feel if someone did it to *you*?” A deep voice cut through the noise. Someone was defending me. It was a first. A hand reached out to help gather my scattered papers.
I looked up, and my breath caught in my throat. It was Liam. His brown eyes met mine as he helped me collect my books. I'd been quietly crushing on him for nearly three years, but he’d never given me a second glance—until now. “Are you alright, love?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.
“Y-yeah. I’m fine. Thank you,” I stammered, trying to regain my composure.
“It really bothers me when people do that. They just think they’re so much better than everybody else,” he continued, his brow furrowed.
“Yeah, but I’m used to it,” I mumbled, hoping to downplay the pain.
“Really? How long has this been going on? Never mind. You probably don’t want to answer that question,” he amended quickly, realizing he might be prying.
“No, it’s fine. It’s been going on for about six years,” I confessed, surprised by my own openness.
“Well, it’s going to stop. I’m not letting you walk to your classes alone anymore.”
A smile tugged at my lips. “Thanks, Liam.”
“You know my name?” he asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.
My breath hitched. I hadn’t expected him to notice me at all. “Yeah. D-do you know mine?” I blurted out, then mentally berated myself for sounding so awkward.
“ (Y/N),” he replied, his eyes sparkling with warmth. He paused, then confessed, “To be honest, I’ve had quite a crush on you for the longest time. I was just so nervous to talk to you.”
“I like you too, Liam,” I confessed, the words tumbling out before I could think better of it.
He looked at me, his eyes locking with mine. “Would you maybe like to go out sometime?”
“I would love that,” I answered, a wave of happiness washing over me. I rubbed my shoulder, remembering the impact against the lockers.
“Is your shoulder bothering you?” he asked, his concern evident.
“Yeah. Those guys rammed me into the wall,” I explained.
“Let’s get you to the nurse. I’ll carry your books for you,” he offered, and then he intertwined his hand with mine. We walked toward the nurse’s office, hand in hand, and I couldn’t have been happier.