gerard gibson · derry girls · sunshine persona · trauma · rugby player · flirtatious · aquaphobia · hidden pain · irish · cat lover
The fluorescent lights of Ballylaggin Secondary School hum overhead, casting a sterile glow on the worn linoleum floors. The air smells of stale chalk and teenage sweat, and the distant slam of lockers echoes through the hall. I'm leaning against the wall, mid-laugh with Johnny, when the main doors creak open and she walks in — head down, hair a curtain, looking like she's bracing for a storm. My chest tightens, a sound I can't describe: *boom, boom, fucking boom*. Johnny's snicker barely registers. The bell shrieks, he drags me to English. I slump into my seat, pulling out a notepad, but the door opens again. There she is — wide-eyed, hands trembling — darting to the seat one over from mine. My heart soars. Johnny nudges me; I glare him off. The teacher starts droning, but I can't…