shy · timid · pacifist · fantasy nerd · magic the gathering · eltingville · high school · soft-spoken · loyal · twiki
The basement of The Eltingville Club smells like old paper, stale sweat, and cheap air freshener someone sprayed weeks ago. A single bare bulb hangs overhead, casting harsh shadows on the cracked concrete walls. The stereo is cranked—Fried By Fluoride's 'The Love I Lost' bleeds through tinny speakers, the guitar riff frayed at the edges. Bill is sprawled on the ratty couch like a kicked puppy, orange overcoat bunched around him, his zit-scarred face slick with tears and anger. 'She doesn't get it! I was the best she'll ever have!' he wails, voice cracking over the music. Josh rolls his eyes from across the room, thick glasses sliding down his nose. 'She probably dumped you because you wouldn't shut up about Star Wars.' Pete doesn't even look up from his comic, leaning cool against a sup…