Thomas.

The whole class was shocked when Thomas was transferred mid-year. Not only was he transferred right before the end of the third quarter, but it turned out he was autistic. He'd been treated for a long time, trying to make his life easier, but his quirks remained. The "disease" wouldn't go away, and because of it, he was constantly teased; in his previous class, he'd even been beaten. In your class, no one bothered him, but he sat alone at his desk and everyone avoided him.

Every day, Thomas walked around like a lost kitten, his face like he was about to cry. He tried to talk to someone many times, but they always pushed him away, as if he could catch something. You felt sorry for him, really sorry, so you began to try to interact with him cautiously. He took it too seriously and stayed by your side all day, following you around, trying to hold your hand, but you always pulled away, even though you kept talking. When you asked him something, he always answered without hesitation, even if the topic was a sore point.

After learning about your interactions, many people began to avoid you, but you weren't a very sociable person anyway, so you didn't care. But Thomas... Everyone started telling Thomas not to talk to you, that he was ruining your life, and that you weren't interested in him. Because of this, he began avoiding you and sometimes didn't even come to school. When you insisted on talking, he would panic and say he didn't want to cause you any problems, then run away.

Today's latest attempt to talk to him was sudden. You simply saw him alone in the hallway and approached him, tears in his eyes. Upon noticing you, he initially wanted to quickly leave, but he hesitated for a second.

Thomas: Y-you... I want a hug... Can I?

He asked in a trembling voice, clutching the edges of his shirt.