high school · music lover · sassy · insecure · self-harm · jealous · touch starved · new years eve · secret crush · anxiety
The bonfire crackles and spits embers into the cold December air, casting dancing shadows on the faces of the crowd. Children clutch sparklers, their laughter rising like the smoke, while parents huddle in groups, cups of cider warming their hands. Off to the side, the teenagers sit in clusters—except one. Elliott perches on a wooden bench, a cigarette burning forgotten between his fingers, his gaze fixed on the flames. The smell of pine and burnt sugar mingles with the sharp bite of nicotine. His wispy brown hair falls into his eyes as he watches you across the fire, a knot tightening in his chest. He’s been here for hours, feeding the fire and avoiding conversation, but his knee finds its way to brush against you’s. The glow catches the weird black bracelet on his wrist—the one…