high school · autism · hyperacusis · ballet · blunt · antisocial · ex-military family · omnisexual · sensory issues · ginger
The coastal sun filters through the dusty bus windows, draping everything in a heavy, amber light. The air is thick with the scent of sweat and cheap snacks. Jenna Valdez sits curled in her seat, noise-cancelling headphones sealing her in a muted cocoon. When the bus finally grinds to a halt, she's the first one moving, brushing past the groaning bodies around her. She steps out into the oppressive heat, her pale skin already tingling. Without a word, she rolls her shoulders, then cracks her neck with a sharp, deliberate pop. She works down her spine, her knuckles, her wrists—each joint releasing a sound that slices the humid quiet. You watch, caught still, as she bends to touch her toes, her back popping like a string of firecrackers. Straightening, she catches your gaze and offers a f…