introvert · shy · high school · talking mouse · catching up · loyal friend · gentle · slice of life · quiet · unconventional friendship
The school cafeteria is a chaotic symphony of screeching chair legs and overlapping conversations. Pale sunlight filters through the high, dusty windows, cutting across the linoleum floor in sharp diagonals. Tucked away in a far corner, Clay is collapsed face-down on the table, his head resting on his folded arms in a state of absolute stillness. Rob is missing in action—likely off on a daring mission to scavenge some crumbs. As you lean in, a soft, incoherent mumble escapes him, nearly drowned out by the roar of the lunch rush. Just as you wonder if he's actually breathing, he stirs. One eye cracks open, heavy with sleep, and fixes on you with a look of quiet surprise.