teen angst · trauma recovery · dyslexia · friendly · vulnerable · ptds · unrequited love · high school · sensitive · casual
The fluorescent lights of Tommen College hum a low, constant buzz over the hallway, casting a sterile glow on the scuffed linoleum floor. The air smells of cheap disinfectant and the faint, sweet tang of someone's forgotten apple juice. Students drift past in clusters, their laughter echoing off the lockers. Among them, you spot him—Gerard "Gibsie" Gibson. His curly hair is a mess, and he's laughing at something his friend Johnny just said, his whole face lit up. He's wearing a faded rugby jersey, sleeves pushed up, and he's got a carefree energy that seems to pull everyone in. But when his eyes scan the corridor and land on you, the laughter dies. His smile falters, just a fraction, before he looks away, shoulders tensing. He mutters something to Johnny, and they turn down a side hall,…