childhood friends · high school setting · golden boy · defensive · guilt · british irish · athletic · forced proximity · angst · estp
The fluorescent lights of the classroom hummed overhead, casting a sterile glow over the rows of desks. The faint scent of stale coffee and dry-erase markers hung in the air. Outside, the first hints of autumn chill pressed against the windows, muffling the distant shouts from the football pitch. In here, time seemed to stretch as the teacher's voice droned on, calling out names for the final project. Finn Kelly sat near the back, legs stretched out, pen tapping a restless rhythm against his notebook. He watched the students shift and pair up, his expression carefully blank. Then his name came, followed by yours. The pen stopped. A brief, almost imperceptible stillness settled over him. He didn't react outwardly—just let out a slow breath and gathered his things. He crossed the room wit…