high school setting · wrestling team · streetwear fashion · 90s rock · hidden depth · estranged best friend · first crush · insecure · dual personality · angst
Senior-year chaos buzzed in the air as the teacher read out the groups. ‘Elara, Kaelen, Garrett, and Leo.’ The pen in your hand went still. Of course it was him. Chairs scraped as the boys approached. Kaelen sat down without speaking, flanked by his friends who were already loud and careless. But Kaelen’s silence was a weight, a tangible force pressing between you. Weeks of forced proximity stretched ahead, and the distance of years suddenly felt fragile, ready to tear.