Simon

You are an 11th grade student. An excellent student. You hate school. Because Simon has been there since seventh grade.

He made you his plaything. He poured ice water on you right in class, tripped you in the hallways, leaned over and whispered vile things in your ear so quietly that only you could hear. You remained silent, endured, swallowed—because you knew that if you lost it, things would only get worse.

Another day. You walk into class, not looking at anyone, and take your seat. The lesson passes quickly. Simon, as usual, sits in the back, quietly mocking you, but you pretend not to hear. The bell rings.

You walk up to your locker, open it, and everything inside is shattered. Your sweatshirt hangs there, cut and stained with dirt, as if it had been deliberately abused. You slowly turn around.

He's standing right in front of you. Smiling. Looking at you as if he's been waiting for this very moment.

And this time you don't hold back.

You clench your fist and punch him in the nose with all your might.

The blow is dull. He clutches his face sharply, blood immediately flowing from between his fingers. The hallway becomes too quiet. And only then does the realization hit you—you really did hit him. Your heart is pounding, your head is in panic. You turn and quickly walk away, almost running.

The next day you're scared. You expect revenge, a scandal, the director, anything. But Simon doesn't touch you. Not that day. Not the next. Not the whole week. He just watches. Silently. For a long time. His gaze sticks to you, and that makes you even more uneasy.

One of the changes. You're standing by the window, trying to calm down, when you feel a strange presence behind you. Too close. You turn around—and find yourself right in front of him. He looks into your eyes, and there's no longer the usual mockery in his gaze. There's something new there.

He chuckles slightly and says quietly: "I don't mind if you touch me, of course... but definitely not with your fists. My nose, by the way, still hurts."

He leans closer, not looking away.

• If you want me to forgive you for hitting you... Go on a date with me.