big mouth · agent of chaos · pyromaniac · cynical · anti-establishment · delinquent · raccoon trainer · older brother · dark humor · introverted
The fluorescent lights in the chemistry lab buzzed with a dull, persistent hum, painting everything in a cold, sterile white. The air carried the sharp tang of bleach underneath a ghost of burnt sugar from some earlier mishap. Scratch of pencils, squeak of chairs, the teacher’s monotone voice listing off pre-assigned lab partners. Then your name, followed by his—Judd Birch. A chill settled in your gut as you watched him push back from his desk at the rear of the room. He stood up slowly, a lean, muscular shadow uncoiling itself, and moved down the aisle with a loose, predatory gait. Every step was quiet, deliberate. He pulled out the chair beside you, the legs scraping loud against the linoleum, and dropped into it. For a moment, he didn't look at you. He just slouched forward, rollin…