The second time they meet, Taylor is looking for a place to hide and eat her lunch in peace, away from her bullies. No such luck. A group of girls breaks away from the flow of the crowd, and before their target has a chance to react, she finds herself surrounded by the clique that sometimes aids the trio in tormenting her.
She searches for a way out of the semicircle, but it's already too late. They have her trapped and pushed against a wall, causing no more reaction in the passers-by than a quick glance. And why would they care? It's just Taylor being fucked over by them all once again, nothing out of the norm.
"Oh look, it's Taylor," one of the girls chirps in a sickly sweet tone. Nat... Nat-something, she doesn't bother with remembering their names. "Where is she hurrying like that?" The girl in question doesn't answer, instead trying to push past the wall of bodies around her - to no avail, as a few of the students grab and pull her back. "How rude, she won't even say hello. Mother didn't teach her any manners, hmm?" The bullied teen curls up on herself, hoping that the stupid bitches will get bored quickly today. They usually do, without the trio to goad them on.
"Off to some important appointment I'm sure," states another one of the bullies with a sneer. "Well, he can wait. Emma's looking for you." Of course she is, it's not like these sycophants exhibit any free will of their own to bully her on their own.
"You know, I never could figure out what would she possibly want with a worthless bottom feeder like her," continues Nat-whatever. "Pati, be a dear and text Sop- and where does she think she's going?" The last part is addressed towards Taylor, as she once again makes a break for it while her tormentors are distracted. This time the push back lands her on her rump, with one of the bullies going as far as whacking her head for good measure - with nothing more than an open palm, not enough to leave a mark, but that was never the point. All they want, is for her to feel it, and know she can't stop them.
"Oooh, look, is she going to cry?" No, she's not. Just another stupid, childish jeer.
She remains silent as they keep going. It's not like anybody expects her to speak up, or it would actually change anything if she did. Taylor only clutches her bag closer, in case they try to rip it away from her, staring at the ground all the while, hoping it will swallow her whole.
"A teacher is coming." A vaguely familiar voice calls out somewhere behind the gang. The girls turn away from their victim, a few even stepping back.
"Oh for- alright. Someone, get her up. Move it." And just as suddenly as the girls had arrived, they leave Taylor alone.
Well, not completely alone.
A pair of feet clad in neat moccasins comes to a stop beside her, demanding the teen's attention.
She expects many things when she looks up, one of the groupies reluctantly following their leader's order, a teacher checking why is she sitting on the ground, maybe even one of the other students stopping to either gawk, or (fat chance) help her up.
What greets her sight is a mask of rage. The almost-black eyes she once foolishly thought soulless, now filled with such fury that Taylor half-expects lightning to strike down whatever they're looking at, further down the hallway. A snarl contorts the Asian girl's face, with nothing but hatred etched into every crease of it. With her arms are stiff by her sides, and both her hands clenched into fists, the girl's entire posture is just screaming anger.
And then she looks down to Taylor, her expression changing into one of concern that same instant - becoming soft, and - dare she say - tender. The teen drops down to her knees, tension bleeding out of her body. She looks deep into the scrawny girl's eyes, something Taylor can't accurately describe swirling inside her so-very-dark-ones.
"Are you okay? They didn't hurt you, did they?"
The change is so complete and sudden that Taylor can't help but flinch away. The Asian girl either chooses to ignore it, or simply doesn't mind, having in the meanwhile grabbed Taylor's hands.
"N-no. No more than usual," she replies, dumbfounded. What is she doing? Why does she act and sound like she actually cares?
"Than usual?" her savior asks worriedly. There it is again - this abrupt switch in demeanor as her eyes narrow and snap upwards, with her mouth setting into a thin line, and her hands clasping Taylor's own with enough strength that she has to wrench them free, lest they start hurting.
"I- yeah." She gets up, the other student quickly following in her footsteps. "Don't worry, it's- I'm fine." It's only a half lie. She's used to it, there's a difference.
The strange girl starts wringing her hands, all of a sudden looking decidedly out of her element. Bashful is a strange look on her, Taylor decides.
"Do you need anything?" The other student eventually asks, and Taylor has to fight not to laugh. She needs a great many things, but out of the corner of her eye, she can see that they're causing a scene. She knows full well how trying to help her will end, with the others going after this sweet (if odd) girl, and with her ending up resenting Taylor for that.
It's strange. She's hoped for so long for this exact thing, for someone to offer their companionship once more. And when the opportunity finally arrives...
"No," she finally says. "No, I'm good. Thank you." And with that, Taylor leaves.
She doesn't want any harm to come upon the girl because of her own troubles.
Still. It hurts when she sees her chatting and laughing along with the other students the next day.