After the "whispering" incident, Charlie became more and more withdrawn.
Until one day, the transfer student Anya arrived.
Charlie didn't care much at first, but on the day Anya arrived, he was somewhat surprised to see Anya had injuries, with some bruises on her face.
Anya and Charlie didn't sit together, but they were both in the last row.
Anya seemed like another Charlie in this class, often bullied and mocked by some classmates.
The reason was Anya, as a girl, had short hair like a boy, and the bruises on her face, which led to rumors that Anya had a mental illness.
There were even rumors saying Anya injured her own mother, and Anya's parents were criminals.
In short, Anya, the transfer student, was not liked.
Their real connection emerged from an art activity where the school required every student to draw a picture and displayed all the students' drawings.
Charlie's drawing was filled with countless swirls.
He used a black pen to continuously draw swirls, swirls within swirls, all intertwined like the chaotic eyes of a person.
Compared to others' buildings, cars, planes, flowers, toys... Charlie's drawing looked extremely dark.
Especially when Charlie stood next to the picture, his gloomy gaze made the artwork seem indescribably terrifying.
On the day of the exhibition, some mocked Charlie's picture as childish doodles, and others called Charlie a weirdo.
Charlie entered that strange feeling again...
Under the sky, rain named dust fell on him, causing a piercing pain he couldn't escape from, as it was everywhere, all around.
He longed to find a corner to avoid this dust; once there was a clock tower, but it was too far, further than time itself.
"Like sinking deep in water... no one cares."
What brought Charlie back to his senses from his pain was Anya's words.
Somehow, Anya was already standing in front of the painting, standing side by side with Charlie.
Charlie was slightly stunned. He looked at Anya, Anya said:
"This picture gives me the feeling of sinking in water, yet no one cares."
That was the first time Charlie carefully observed Anya.
Anya wasn't very pretty because she was too skinny, her hair was yellowed, and her otherwise regular features presented a kind of weak morbidity.
Anya turned around and said:
"Charlie... your name is Charlie, right?"
Charlie nodded, Anya said:
"I like this painting."
Charlie never expected that this seemingly doodle-like artwork, piled with countless chaotic lines by an artist, would be liked by someone.
He never imagined... Anya really spoke out that kind of feeling.
Like sinking in water, no one cares.
By some supernatural urge, Charlie touched his pocket and pulled out a piece of candy. Just like many years ago, when he watched Huohua, subconsciously sharing his bread.
He thought he had grown up, thought that after enduring so much pain, he wouldn't be as naive as he was as a child.
But many years later, he was still the same as back then, instinctively sharing things with strangers.
"Wow, nougat, right? It sticks to your teeth, but I really like it."
Anya took the candy.
After that day, Anya began to approach Charlie intentionally or unintentionally. Charlie was scared. But... deep inside, he quietly thought, maybe we could really be friends?
One time, he discovered Anya being grabbed by the hair by a girl, and that girl said:
"Your mom is a criminal, your dad too! You are too!"
Anya looked helplessly at Charlie, but Charlie didn't help.
In his life, it seemed there were only bad things and even worse things. All the teachers and classmates didn't like him.
He felt that cloistering himself in some corner was the best choice.
After this incident, Charlie thought Anya wouldn't come to him again.
He was somewhat relieved.
If one doesn't have anyone to care about, when that person appears, he is tense; when that person leaves, he is regretful but also... relieved. It's as if he returned to his comfort zone.
The school bell rang, and Anya suddenly called out to Charlie.
"Charlie... can you, will you talk to me for a bit later?"
Charlie didn't expect Anya would contact him again.
He wanted to refuse, but ultimately nodded.
That day, Anya and Charlie didn't go home immediately; the sound of balls bouncing was heard in the gymnasium.
"My mom and dad are not criminals... I'm not insane, I'm not."
"Charlie, we are friends, right?"
Charlie hesitated for a moment.
Anya then began to share her past.
Her father used to be a university lecturer but had been dismissed. Her mother was once a gifted piano teacher but had long endured verbal and physical abuse from her father. Her father harbored bitterness toward life, blaming his failures on the family.
Especially targeting sensitive Anya, who reminded him of his wife's youth.
The home was forever filled with alcohol, fear, and silent rage. Her mother Martha gradually became numb and submissive.
Occasionally even venting her resentment onto Anya. In Anya's memory, her mother said several times: It's all because of you.
Each time, Anya would hide in the cramped closet during her parents' arguments, covering her ears with a pillow.
She often had hidden bruises, from being shoved and bumped by her father or grabbed in a fit by her mother. She always wore long sleeves or high-collared clothes to cover them. She had a strong fear response to sudden loud noises like slamming doors.