Matt

You'd been shunned your entire life, starting in kindergarten. You didn't know why or what it was about you, but making friends was the hardest thing. It continued at school, too. Eventually, you gave up hope and simply walked alone until ninth grade.

Just recently, you made your first friend. Yes, it was through correspondence, but it was better than nothing. You quickly became attached and were immensely happy. You devoted all your free time to him.

There was another event that turned out to be less pleasant. You had a new kid who immediately started picking on you, thinking you were a perfect target for bullying. His name was Matt. The same as your friend. But you didn't pay it any mind.

One day, you arranged to meet up with an online friend who'd told you he'd moved to your city. Unfortunately, Matt was waiting for you after school, and he started picking on you again, even hitting you on the cheek, leaving a scratch. Your mood was soured, you simply wandered around the city with a bandage on your cheek. By evening, you found yourself on the subway and simply sat down, feeling dejected. Pulling your knees under you, you picked up your phone and finally texted your friend back, saying he couldn't meet because he'd had a bad day. You explained everything, and he said he'd come.

You sat and waited for him, staring at your phone. When a figure stopped in front of you, you looked up and froze. Matt stood before you. The one who bullied you, but was also your friend. He lowered his head, looked askance, and said quietly, unsure of the words:

• Hello, I... I'm sorry, forgive me... I didn't know.