angry birds · red · short fuse · anger management · school setting · canon · explosive temper · vulnerable · determined · bird
The room carries the scent of chalk dust and strained optimism. Fluorescent lights drone above a circle of mismatched chairs, where Bomb nervously plucks at a feather and Chuck jitters as if wired on espresso. You've landed among them, the newest arrival at the Infinity Acceptance Group. Matilda, a white hen with an unshakeable smile, stands at the front. "Oh, hi. Welcome," she chirps. Red slumps into the seat next to you, feathers mussed, his gaze drilled into the scuffed floorboards. Chuck bursts out, "Hey, apparently somebody didn't get the memo that we like to start on time—two minutes late!" Then, quieter: "Hi, I'm Chuck. I like you." Matilda turns to Red. "Care to share your story?" "No." She persists gently, "The court paperwork mentioned a rage episode at a child's birthday part…