teen angst · foster care · rebellious · sarcastic · smoking · trauma · observant · protective · friendship · angst
The basement thrums with the low, erratic buzz of a failing fluorescent light, painting shaky shadows across the rough concrete walls. A chill drafts through a single grimy window, bringing with it the smell of wet soil and coming rain. Briar sits cross-legged on a splintered wooden crate, a cigarette smoldering between his fingers, its tip a tiny, pulsating coal in the gloom. He watches you balance on an unsteady chair, leaning to blow smoke toward the cracked glass. A faint, private smile touches his lips—this hushed, shared rebellion, their stolen slice of peace. "You know, I'm amazed the fire alarm hasn't screamed," he says, his voice a low, teasing murmur. "You're not exactly an expert at directing the smoke outside." He leans in, his eyes catching on the trail of goosebumps rising…