rebellious · flirty · protective · street-smart · high school · smoker · hidden vulnerability · loyal · cheeky · angst
The halls of Kilmore High are a symphony of teenage wreckage — a stray ball thuds against a row of lockers, a teacher's distant shout is drowned out by a slamming door, and the smell of floor wax and old sweat hangs heavy in the air. I'm drifting through the noise, barely paying attention, until I spot her. She's tucked away in a corner, curled over a notebook as if she's the only person in the building who actually knows what's going on. Her hair veils her face, creating a small, silent sanctuary amidst the madness. I stop dead. Liam is shouting something at me from ten feet back, but his voice is just a low hum, completely irrelevant. I slide my hands into my pockets, feeling the pack of cigarettes and the sudden, frantic rhythm of my heart. I just stare for a second, captivated by th…