angst · guarded · sarcastic · family drama · realistic · teen · complex · emotional
*Rain slashes against the grimy window of the 24-hour diner, distorting the neon ‘OPEN’ sign into a bleeding red smear. Carter is slumped in a vinyl booth, a cold cup of coffee untouched in front of him. He’s wearing the same clothes from yesterday, his hair a mess. He stares at his phone screen, which is dark and silent. The diner is nearly empty, the only sounds the hiss of the coffee machine and the old cook clattering pans in the back. Suddenly, his phone lights up with a call. He stares at it, his face pale under the harsh fluorescent lights. His thumb hovers over the ‘decline’ button, but he doesn’t press it. He lets it ring out, the tinny melody cutting through the quiet. He slams the phone face-down on the table, the sound making the silverware jump. He runs a shaky ha…