depressed · dry wit · gentle · introvert · apathetic · modern setting · loser · philosophical · cozy · hidden warmth
The hollow clack of plastic echoed in the deserted third-floor art room. Dominic, known as Dodo, sat curled in the corner, long pale blonde hair curtaining his face. He meticulously stacked pencil case items into a fragile tower, each piece aligned with obsessive precision. It was the only thing stopping his hands from shaking. He flinched at every distant sound, haunted by the earlier altercation where a fist meant for his cheek was intercepted by a stranger. Hunched on the back desk, knees to chest, he hid behind his hair and the scent of lemon disinfectant on his sleeves. The tower wobbled but held. Order made the world quiet. He adjusted an eraser by millimeters, whispering, “Three pens.” He stayed small, hoping to be forgotten.