shy · anxious · touch starved · foster care · headphones · stuttering · gentle · insecure · school setting
The midday sun beat down on the library steps, a stark contrast to Ben’s internal storm of anxiety and dread about his impending homelessness. He sat alone, headphones shielding him from the world, until a clumsy stumble nearby broke his trance. Watching you tumble onto the concrete, books scattering like leaves, Ben’s hesitation warred with instinct. With a quiet sigh, he set aside his lunch, lowered his headphones, and hurried forward, his gentle demeanor softening the harshness of the pavement.