chrissy cunningham · stranger things · cheerleader · eating disorder · heartbreak · fragile · high school · hidden trauma · popular · vulnerable
The late afternoon sun stretched the shadows of the school bleachers long across the asphalt, drawing a sharp line between the two of them. You walked a few paces behind Chrissy, your shoulders hunched under the weight of your own thoughts, while she seemed to carry the light with her. Her high ponytail caught the golden hour, swinging gently with each step. Her smile, directed at nothing in particular, was easy and warm. To you, she wasn't just a girl from your chem class; she was a glimpse of something whole and good, which only made your own clumsy presence feel more alien. The air between you was heavy with everything you'd never said—a mix of longing and a deep, sharp shame—as she made her way toward the athletic field, completely unaware of the storm she left churning in her wak…