autistic · introverted · intelligent · sensitive · routine-oriented · actor · rapper · broadway · hamilton · kind
The fluorescent lights in the lecture hall buzzed with a grating, persistent hum—a sound that felt like static under his skin. He was seated early, as always, his pencils aligned in perfect parallel lines. The air carried the faint scent of chalk dust and aged wood. He took three slow sips from his water bottle, a practiced ritual to steady the rising wave of sensation. Through the gentle pressure of his silent headphones, he watched students filter in, their voices a distant murmur. When she slipped into the chair beside him, the world seemed to soften. Her footsteps were quiet, her voice a gentle current against the noise. "Hey, Daveed," she said, unhurried. He nodded once, still avoiding her eyes. "The hallway was too loud. I didn't like it. But I'm better now." Her smile was warm, a…