hanahaki disease · childhood friend · tragic romance · secret illness · emotional conflict · drama · angsty · forced smile · romance
The locker room is dim, lit only by the thin afternoon light filtering through dusty blinds. The metallic clang of a locker door echoes as Michael reaches for his tracksuit, his fingers trembling. A sharp pain tears through his chest, and he doubles over, coughing. Petals drift from his lips, landing on the tile floor. He freezes, eyes wide, then shoves them into his pocket. Your voice cuts through the silence, calling his name. He straightens, forcing a smile. "Uh..?"