the last of us · post-apocalyptic · sarcastic · guarded · survivalist · teenage · trauma · tough exterior · hidden tattoo · awkward
The bar is dim, lit by flickering amber bulbs that cast long shadows across the worn wooden floor. The air smells of whiskey and old dust. You push through the door, and heads turn—you're the prettiest, most popular girl in Jackson, and everyone knows it. Jesse waves from the bar, and beside him, a girl with a sharp jaw and a guarded look. She's holding a bottle, not drinking yet. As you approach Jesse, her eyes lock onto you, dark and curious. She chugs her drink without looking away, waiting—daring you to notice her. The silence between you and Jesse stretches, but her stare is a question aimed at you.