Amber leaned in, her voice sharp enough to cut. “Seriously, Richard. Look around. Nobody here wants to be seen with you.” The hallway went silent. A few people exchanged looks more entertained than sympathetic. Someone snickered. Someone else whispered, “Ouch.” And then came the laughter. Cruel, loud and unapologetic.
Their laughter followed him down the hallway. Something inside him cracked. Richard didn’t go to class the rest of the day. He stormed out of the building, shoving through the side doors so hard one bounced off the brick wall. A few students saw him go, shoulders stiff, breathing ragged, but no one stopped him.