Dawn Of Twilight

Chapter 13 : Friday Frenzy (Part 2)

Dawn and Erevin walked side by side along the school grounds. Her eyes were red from crying, her cheeks still blotchy. She kept her gaze downward, her occasional sniffles breaking the silence.

Erevin glanced at her. He hesitated for a moment before finally asking, "Why were you running from me?"

Dawn wiped her face with the sleeve of her uniform, her steps slowing. She didn't answer right away, as if struggling to find the words. Finally, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I wasn't... running from you," she said, her tone defensive yet unsure.

Erevin raised an eyebrow, his voice calm but insistent. "You bolted out of the classroom the moment I stood up. That's running."

Dawn stopped walking, her hands clenching the hem of her skirt. She kept her eyes fixed on the ground as the faint breeze played with the loose strands of her hair. "I just... I needed some space to think," she muttered. "I didn't want to talk to you. Not when I was this... upset."

Erevin stepped closer, his voice softer. "You could've just told me. I would've understood."

She let out a humorless laugh, shaking her head. "You don't get it, Erevin. It's not that simple. I... I didn't know how to talk to you without saying something I'd regret. And I hate feeling like this—jealous, angry, and stupid all at the same time."

Her voice cracked on the last word, and she turned away. Erevin stood silently, giving her the space to speak at her own pace.

After a moment, she continued, "You don't owe me anything, okay? I know that. And I'm not trying to control who you're friends with or who holds your hand." She paused, taking a shaky breath. "But it hurt. Seeing her with you like that... like she belonged there. And it made me feel... small. Like maybe I'm not enough."

She continued, "And then there's everything with the bullies." She stopped, her breathing uneven. "When they cornered me earlier, they grabbed my arm... they wouldn't stop making disgusting comments. I felt... I felt so dirty."

She took a shaky breath, her fists clenching at her sides. "And I just froze, Erevin. I couldn't move, couldn't speak, couldn't do anything. It's like every time this happens, I let them win. I feel so worthless and-"

"Stop it." Erevin's voice, quiet but firm, laced with a determination that made her look up. His eyes locked onto hers, unwavering.

"No, you don't get it!" she burst out, her emotions spilling over. "I see people like Amelia—confident, fearless, untouchable. And then there's me. I'm just... an easy target. They know I won't fight back. They know I'm too scared, too stupid to stand up for myself."

Erevin stepped forward without hesitation, pulling her into his arms. She froze for a second, then melted into him, her fingers clutching the fabric of his shirt as her sobs shook her body.

"Dawn," he wispered, "you're not stupid, and you're not weak. Do you know what I see when I look at you? Someone who cares about everyone around her, even when the world is unkind to her. Someone who doesn't give up, no matter how hard things get."

Her voice was muffled against his chest, the words shaky and broken. "B-but I don' f-feel s-strong... I f-feel useless. Like I'm always dragging people down. Even you."

"That's not true." Erevin's voice grew steadier, more resolute. "You don't drag anyone down. You've lifted me up in ways you don't even realize. If you weren't here... I don't even know where I'd be. You're the one person who makes me feel like maybe I'm worth something."

Her fingers gripped his shirt tighter. "B-but I'm not like—" she hiccupped—"like Amelia. She's so confident, an'... an' pretty. An' me..."

"You don't need to be like her," he interrupted, his voice intense but gentle. "You're you. You're kind and warm and brave in ways she could never be. And honestly?" He hesitated, his cheeks coloring slightly. "I wouldn't want you to be anyone else. Ever."