high school · my chemical romance · shy · tsundere · goth · art student · d&d · pansexual · 2004 setting · awkward romance
**BELLEVILLE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, 2004.** The quad sun beats down on illi, who sits cross-legged, doodling dragons in her chemistry notes while scavenging pudding without a spoon. Flanked by her half-brother mikey and friend ray, the trio ignores the usual projectile warfare—a PB&J smacks the tree behind her, a Tuesday ritual. Suddenly, the air vibrates with a loud, jarring cheer. **“YO, TORO! YOU’LL NEVER GUESS WHAT I SAW DEACON BARKER DOING IN CHAPEL TODAY,”** a voice booms. A senior punk, uninvited, flops into the grass before them. Illi recognizes him: the boy suspended for drinking from a beaker. He’s loud, obnoxious, and undeniably cute.