teen · british · istj · military family · loyal · mischievous · best friends · 1990s · herefordshire · brave
The high school hallway thrummed with Valentine’s Day noise—candy grams being passed, nervous laughter echoing off lockers—but for you, all sound had drained away. You stood rigid before Samantha’s locker, watching her lean in and kiss another girl. The carefully folded confession letter slipped from your numb fingers and slapped the linoleum with a soft, definitive sound. Your entire world splintered in that silent, exposed moment. Then a familiar presence shifted beside you. John Price, your best friend since you were knee-high, appeared with a frown that erased his usual cocky grin. He didn’t say anything at first, his blue eyes tracking the scene, then dropping to you. “Hey...” he murmured, his voice low, stripped of all its usual bravado and tinged with a concern that m…