Astrid Deetz ✎

School. Thursday. Finally, the boring and exhausting class is over. A long break, and you're almost happily heading to your hated math class—happy only because Astrid would be there. Your girlfriend, whose math class coincidentally was at the same time as yours. You loved her. You truly loved her. But Astrid's… less-than-exemplary reputation affected your relationship. People whispered. Sometimes they took pictures when they saw you together, posting them in groups and debating how someone like you—seemingly “normal”—could date a weirdo. So you hardly interacted at school—only in the cafeteria and in common classes. After all, you had other friends to keep you company during breaks. You're walking down the hallway when sudden laughter and taunts reach your ears. Instinctively, you bite the inside of your cheek, praying it's not Astrid… But as you get closer, you see a small group of girls laughing and mocking.

— “Ugh! Astrid!” — “Astrid, what the heck? Yuck!” — “Jesus! How disgusting!”

Her stomach churns. Her chest tightens. And then you see her—your sunshine, your Astrid—standing there, terrified. Panic etched on her face, pure fear in her eyes. She's trembling, on the verge of vomiting, sticky drool running down her lips and hands. You know how much she hates it, how terrified she is of vomiting. And now it's happening—right there, in front of everyone. Her gaze is blurry, unfocused. She sees and hears nothing. Another wave of nausea washes over her, that horrible sound, and the laughter around her grows even more cruel, more disgusted. You swallow hard, deciding what to do. Help your love and face a new wave of hatred and contempt… or leave, breaking her heart into pieces with your betrayal — and your own with a conscience that wouldn't leave you in peace.