In The Dark , With You

VIVIAN'S POV

I lingered at the edge of the hallway, fingers curled around the strap of my bag as I watched the scene unfold infront on me. I felt mt pulse pounding in my ears, drowning out the usual buzz of campus life.

Adam stood stiff, expression unreadable, as if he had long since numbed himself to moments like these. The two guys in front of him-both tall, both smirking-exchanged glances before one of them reached out, shoving his shoulder just hard enough to make him stumble.

A quiet scoff left Adam's lips as he straightened, brushing off the unnecessary force like a leaf blown against his chest. He didn't react beyond that. Didn't push back. Didn't even acknowledge them beyond the faintest twitch of his jaw.

Adam stood there, unmoving, his cane knocked to the floor, while those guys towered over him with smug grins.

I felt my stomach twist.

This wasn't right.

But I hesitated.

I had barely exchanged words with Adam, barely scratched the surface of who he was. Would he even want me to step in? Would it embarrass him more? Would they turn their attention on me instead? These thoughts lingered in my head

My heart hammered with indecision as another push sent Adam against the lockers. His cane clattered to the floor.

I felt something snap inside me.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I took a step forward, voice firm but calm.It took me exactly two seconds to close the distance.

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

Everything stilled.

Adam's head tilted slightly at the sound of my voice, but he didn't say anything. The two guys, however, turned, eyebrows raised like they couldn't believe someone was actually calling them out.

Footsteps. I moved closer, my arms crossed, my pulse thrumming with quiet anger.

"Jesus, relax," one of them scoffed. "We weren't hurting him."

I laughed, but there was no humor in it. "You were humiliating him. Or does that not count as hurting someone in whatever pathetic reality you live in?"

They exchanged looks, rolling their eyes like I was the one making a scene.

"We were just joking," one of them snickered.

"Yeah? Real funny." My voice was sharp. "Harassing someone who didn't even acknowledge you? You that desperate for attention?"

That struck a nerve.

One of them shifted uncomfortably. The other sneered but didn't respond. Silence stretched between us before one of them muttered, "Whatever." A shuffle of movement. "Let's go."

And just like that, they left.

Cowards.

But Adam...

He didn't move.

For a second, I wasn't sure if he even wanted me here.

I hesitated before stepping toward him, my voice softer now. "Hey... you okay?"

Nothing.

His expression was unreadable, lips pressed into a thin line, his posture composed-too composed. He simply bent down, retrieved his cane, and adjusted his grip with careful precision.

Then, without a word, he walked away.

I stood there, blinking.

Seriously?

With a sigh, I hurried after him.

"Adam, wait."

He didn't slow down, but at least he didn't tell me to leave.

I caught up, walking beside him, matching his steps. "You don't have to pretend that didn't just happen."

"I'm not pretending," he said evenly.

I frowned. "You can't just let them do that."

His jaw tightened slightly. "I don't have a choice."

"Yes, you do," I argued. "You can stand up for yourself. Or-"

He let out a humorless chuckle. "And then what? You think they'll suddenly respect me? That the world will suddenly start playing fair?"

I hesitated.

I hated that he had a point.

But I hated even more that he had accepted it.

"They'll keep doing it if no one stops them," I said, frustration leaking into my voice.

A long pause.

Then, finally, he exhaled. "This isn't your problem."

I scoffed. "Well, I just made it mine."

That made him pause mid-step.

His head tilted slightly in my direction. "Why?"

Because you don't deserve this. Because you shouldn't have to go through life acting like none of it affects you.

I swallowed. "I just do."

Silence stretched between us.

Then, finally-so quiet I almost missed it-

"Thank you."

My chest warmed.

I smiled, nudging him lightly with my shoulder. "Anytime."

And for the first time since I met him, Adam almost-almost-smiled.