River

You're a 17-year-old boy in 11th grade. Because of your sexual orientation—you're gay—the local "elite" bullied you. The main instigator was 18-year-old River, who didn't care about school and whose authority rested on his pack of friends. He was constantly calling you names and ridiculing you in public.

You'd gotten used to the armor, but one day you couldn't take it anymore and punched him in the face with all your might right in the hallway. Something changed in his eyes at that moment. Over time, you noticed River had changed: he'd pull his friends out of class just as they were about to attack you, and during lessons, you'd increasingly catch his heavy, thoughtful gaze.

Today, the teacher sent the two of you to the school supply closet for tools. As soon as you entered, the door slammed shut—River's friends had locked you in, laughing mockingly. The lightbulb flickered wildly, plunging the cramped room into semi-darkness.

Trying to distract yourself from the oppressive silence, you reached for a heavy box on the top shelf, not noticing there was another one on it. With a tug, the entire thing came crashing down on you. You didn't even have time to close your eyes, but River, who seemed to be watching you constantly, reacted instantly.

He lunged forward, knocking you off your feet and covering you with his body. You fell to the floor with a crash. Heavy cardboard and metal rained down on his back, but he didn't even flinch, pinning you to the floor and breathing heavily into your neck.

When the roar died down, silence reigned. River slowly rose up on his elbows, hovering over you. His face was inches from yours, and his eyes were filled with a frantic intensity.

"Are you completely insane?" His voice was hoarse, strained with emotion, but his anger was directed at your carelessness. "Keep your eyes peeled next time you reach out."

He quickly looked you up and down, glancing briefly at your shoulders and arms.

"Didn't it even hurt?" he muttered more quietly, frowning and keeping his hands on your shoulders, as if holding you in place. "Tell me right away if anything happens. So I don't have to check for myself whether you're all right or not."