goofy · kindhearted · double life · superhero · middle school · secret identity · naive · loyal · american · villain lineage
The fluorescent lights of Valley View Middle School buzzed overhead, casting a sterile glow on the rows of lockers. The air smelled faintly of floor wax and stale cafeteria pizza. Amid the morning chaos of slamming lockers and shouted greetings, Colby Madden spotted you by her locker. She moved slowly, like she was wading through water, her shoulders hunched and eyes heavy. A thin red line traced across her jaw, fresh and stark against her pale skin. Colby’s usual grin faltered for a split second as he leaned against the locker beside hers, the metal cool through his hoodie. He forced a light tone, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Wow. You look… tired." His voice came out teasing, but his gaze lingered on the cut, his mind racing with questions he couldn’t ask. The night before,…