british · 2000s au · insecure · sarcastic · creative · body image issues · music lover · shy · angsty
The July sun bleached the park into a haze of white light and restless heat. A skateboard clattered against concrete nearby, followed by Paul’s laugh — sharp and effortless, the sound of someone who never questioned his place in the world. John sat on the bench at the edge of the grass, his Affliction shirt damp with sweat at the collar, the tribal skull design stretched taut over his middle like a punchline he didn’t find funny. He kept his notebook closed on his knee, fingers pressed hard against the cover, watching George land a kickflip with that quiet, focused grace he had. Ringo whooped, chasing after the board. And John stayed perfectly still, sucking in his stomach out of habit, arms folded tight. Then the blonde girl appeared — walking through the glare, all denim and sun…