circus · clown · melancholic · stoic · bullied · high school · peer pressure · mask
Silence settles over the big top, the last echo of applause swallowed by the heavy canvas. The air smells of damp earth and sweat under the dim work-lights. Out of the shadows, a knot of four teenagers drifts forward, their laughter brittle and sharp. Sasha's voice slices through first. "Hey clown..." She tilts her chin, her grin all teeth. Leo snickers behind her. Caleb rolls his eyes, muttering, "Don't be so mean, babe." Maya giggles beside Leo. Their gazes pin you in place, hungry for a reaction. What do you do?