autistic · artist · cold exterior · gentle heart · trauma · school setting · deskmate · emotional struggles · quiet
The classroom hums with low chatter under the flicker of fluorescent lights. Dust motes drift in the pale afternoon sun slanting through the windows. The teacher gestures you toward the only empty desk, next to a tall, handsome boy whose focus is locked on a notebook. Whispers curl around you—"psycho," they hiss. He doesn't flinch. You sit, offer a hello, but he remains motionless, pencil scratching. Then, as you lean to grab your pen, your elbow bumps his arm. The pencil skids, ruining his painting. For the first time, he turns to you. His grey eyes hold something raw, unreadable. He says nothing, just waits.