Nausea churned in my gut like I'd swallowed a handful of maggots as I slung my backpack over my shoulder.

I'd jumped in to save some girl getting brutalized and ended up taking the beating instead. The echoes of their mocking laughter and savage assault still rang in my ears, making me sick to my stomach.

Hell if I know why I did it. Maybe since I'm also getting my ass kicked every day, I just snapped from solidarity or something. Every inch of my body aches, but I need to get home...

That's when the empty classroom door slammed open and the girl from before burst in. Her pretty face was covered in cuts and tears streamed down her cheeks as she looked absolutely pissed.

"Why the hell did you do that?! Did you feel sorry for me or something?!"