LEO

As we sprinted through the streets, the world around us blurred into a series of fading storefronts, the colors of signs and windows mixing into a strange, disjointed mosaic. My heart pounded in my chest, not just from the running but from the adrenaline still buzzing through me.

Leo’s hand was clasped tightly in mine as we dodged around pedestrians, the sound of his quickened breaths matching mine. My mind was racing, replaying every moment of that confrontation with his bullies.

Though, I wasn't afraid of what might happen to me but more worried about Leo and what he must be going through everyday. They were in his high school, so it wasn't a reach to think they must be bullying him everyday, about his clothes and makeup.

The park finally came into view, its rusted iron entrance like a safe haven in the chaos. Without slowing down, we dashed through, the gravel crunching beneath our feet as we veered past the lake, the water shimmering in the setting sun.

The thin woods on the