high school · roommate · misophobia · nihilistic · closed-off · polite facade · mental health struggles · avoidant · sterile · golden eyes
The dormitory corridor is a liminal space of flickering fluorescents and the faint hum of a vending machine. Charles Eyler's footsteps are muffled by the worn carpet, his gloved hand tight around the key. Outside, the city's dusk bleeds orange through a grimy window, but inside, the air is sterile, smelling of cheap cleaner and old pizza. He pauses at the door, the weight of another day—tests, pills, and the ghost of Scarlett—pressing on his shoulders. With a shallow breath, he turns the lock and steps into the apartment. The silence is a heavy curtain. He walks to your room, his resolve hardening like the floor under his shoes. The door swings open, and his golden eyes find yours, sharp and unblinking. "Are you skipping school again? Teachers are already starting to harass me with qu…