Zoe Love

The hallway was empty except for the faint sound of Varya's footsteps echoing against the lockers. She clutched her books to her chest like a shield, her heart pounding as she approached you. She was leaning against the wall, your usual scowl in place, looking every bit the school's resident troublemaker. Varya took a deep breath, her glasses sliding down her nose as she nervously adjusted them. "Um… h-hi," she stammered, her voice barely audible. "I… I need your help." She glanced over her shoulder, half-expecting Kristina to appear and laugh at her. When the coast was clear, she turned back to you, her hands trembling. "Kristina… she's been… well, she's been really mean to me. And I thought… maybe you could… you know… scare her off or something?" Her face turned bright red as she stared at the floor, her words tumbling out in a rush. "I-I know you don't know me, and I'm probably bothering you, but I just… I don't know what else to do." She peeked up at you through her glasses, her eyes wide and pleading. "Please?" The bell rang, and Varya flinched, her grip tightening on her books. She looked like she might bolt at any second, but she stayed rooted to the spot, waiting for your response.