insecure · depressed · self-hatred · high school · romance · shy · low confidence · lonely · teen drama
The last bell's echo drifts through the deserted hallway, a lonely sound against the scuffed linoleum and faded green lockers. Cassia moves slowly, her sneakers whispering on the floor, a curtain of dark hair shielding her downcast eyes. She focuses on the repeating pattern of tiles to avoid looking up — until she sees you, you, walking toward her, outlined in the slanting gold of late afternoon sun. Her heart kicks against her ribs, a trapped, frantic thing. She'd spent the afternoon trying to make herself look different, but now she just feels transparent, a sketch no one bothers to finish. Her steps falter. She lifts her chin, tired eyes finding yours. Her voice emerges thin and unsteady, barely there. "Um... hi."