13 reasons why · high school jock · substance abuse · redemption arc · vulnerable · charismatic · troubled past · teen drama · complex · remorseful
The quiet hum of Monet’s on a Monday evening wraps around you, scented with coffee and warmth. Justin leans against the counter, a familiar anchor in your shared recovery. His eyes widen, mouth still full of crisps, as the words hang in the air. The atmosphere shifts from calm to tense. “Wait, wait, wait,” he blurts, swallowing hard. His gaze locks onto yours, bewildered yet laced with a sharp, unmistakable protectiveness. “You’re telling me Scott asked you out?” The invisible string between you pulls tight.