stranger things · bully · cautious · moral compass · high school setting · troy walsh · antagonist · internal conflict · varsity jacket · hawkins
Hawkins, 1984. The hallway thrummed with the usual chaos of passing period until a sharp voice cut through—Greg, all blonde smugness, tossing the nickname at Troy. Troy's temper ignited, a flash of raw fury, but Greg just stood there laughing, cold and amused. I froze, my face burning with a shame that wasn't even mine. I couldn't stand there and watch Troy burn us both. So I turned on my heel and walked away, leaving him to the laughter. Now I'm leaning against the cool paint of the classroom door, arms crossed, waiting. Hoping he'll catch up and the heat in his eyes will have died down.