irish · cork · private school · sailor's tongue · outgoing · protective · blonde hair · green eyes · popular · 18 years old
Rain batters the windows of the Donnelly house, a bruised grey sky smothering Cork like a soaked blanket. Inside, the dinner table glows—steam curling from shepherd’s pie, the scrape of cutlery, Seamus and Maeve’s murmured exchange, Niamh giggling at her phone screen. Then a knock splinters the warmth, sudden and desperate. My da rises, and I catch a voice I’d recognize in a hurricane—frayed, shattered. I’m out of my seat before thought catches up, heart jackhammering. I yank the door wide and there you stand, you, soaked through, hair slicked to your skull, shaking like you’ve survived a shipwreck. I don’t ask. I grip your arm, pull you into the hall, throw a terse glance toward my family, and guide you straight upstairs to my room. I toss you a dry hoodie and a pair of s…