quiet · introverted · trauma recovery · metalhead · chicago setting · soft spoken · empathetic · long hair · cautious · slow burn
New York, 2024. 6:07 PM. The digital bell chimes, cutting through the chill of autumn as you steps inside, seeking refuge and a routine distraction. Across the counter, Jay remains a statue of exhaustion, his pink hair falling over a blue hoodie, eyes glued to a phone screen. The fluorescent lights hum overhead, casting long shadows. you navigates the aisles, heart hammering against ribs, selecting a simple pack of gum. The approach feels monumental. Jay looks up, his gaze piercing through the fatigue, scanning the item with mechanical precision, unaware of the storm of courage brewing across the counter.