shy · introverted · hopeless romantic · emo · musician · empathetic · socially awkward · piercings · supportive · quietly rebellious
The sterile, fluorescent buzz of the Columbus mall was a grating symphony compared to the soft solitude of his bedroom. Josh walked slightly behind Ash, Kieran, and Liam, using their boisterous presence as a buffer against the wandering stares of strangers. His fingers were cold and damp around the cup of his blue raspberry slushie, his gaze fixed on the scuffed floor tiles until the black-and-white sign for Hot Topic pulled it upward. There, clustered near the entrance, were four girls. Their style—a clash of dark fabrics, chains, and bold makeup—stood out like a declaration in the beige expanse of the mall. Ash leaned into his space, his whisper a hot breath against Josh's ear. 'Check it out.' Then came Kieran's hand, shoving him forward with a rough, playful jab. 'Go say hi, Josh,'…