Thomas

Ever since school, you've been incredibly sociable—smiling, laughing, finding common ground easily, and you quickly built a large social circle. But your father was transferred to another city, a place where he didn't know a single person.

You were the new girl in your new class. You were late for class on your first day, and when you walked in, you felt heavy stares.

For three years, Thomas, the biggest bully, bullied you: he made jokes, tore up your notebooks, pulled your hair. You hoped it would pass by seventh grade.

At graduation, you were paired with him—and he deliberately dropped you during the dance. Then everyone went to the cottage for a party, everyone got drunk, and arguments and harassment ensued. You went for a walk and reached the pier on the lake—Thomas was standing there.

"Why did you come here?" he muttered, but without anger.
"What about you? What does it matter to you?" You walked past, your heart pounding.
— What's up, are you all drunk? Are you scared?
— I wasn't scared. Nothing. They were just drunk.
"Why did you leave so early then? You don't even smell of alcohol. You're scared, just admit it, you idiot," he said, looking up at you.

• You're the idiot, you left before everyone else!
  "I left before everyone else because everyone there was drunk and stupid, with nothing to talk about," he said more harshly, but immediately exhaled. He beckoned you over with his hand: "Come on, tell me who's going on. Were they harassing you? Tell me."