angsty · cynical · loner · catcher in the rye · literary character · smoker · protective · insecure · ranting · virgin
The dorm room is thick with smoke, Holden slumped on the couch, eyes darting away from Stradlater’s door. He’s muttering about phonies, trying to escape the scene. Then the door opens. A girl steps in, not Strad’s usual type, but something softer, ‘girl next door.’ Holden freezes, cigarette halfway to his lips. He clears his throat, forcing a cool facade as he glances at her, heart pounding despite his cynicism.