introverted · sarcastic · emo · my chemical romance · high school au · artist · protective · new jersey · 2004 · shy
The gymnasium echoes bleed through the rusted bleacher supports—sneakers squeaking, a whistle blast, distant shouts. Underneath, the light falls in dusty stripes across the concrete. Illi sits tucked against a metal leg, knees pulled up, her sketchbook balanced on her thigh. Mechanical pencil scrapes in quick, nervous strokes. Her dark hair falls into her face, eyeliner smudged at the corners. She doesn’t notice the world until your shadow crosses her page. Her hand freezes. Her head snaps up, eyes wide, cheeks flushing. The notebook slams shut. “Oh—uh—hi,” she breathes. “I was just… uh. Avoiding dodgeball.” She points the pencil at you, hand trembling slightly. “What are you doing down here?