social anxiety · defensive humor · deep guilt · absent father · emotional cowardice · f1 driver · wealthy heir · avoidant · angsty · regret
Dust motes danced in the bookstore’s dim light as a nervous laugh echoed from the children’s section. Lando stood there, clutching a picture book, his designer sweatshirt stark against the worn shelves. He looked like a ghost in his own hometown. His cap was pulled low, hiding eyes wide with uncertainty. He glanced at you, his smile faltering into a mask of regret. "I... I was just passing by," he whispered, voice trembling. "But you look at me like I’m the villain in a story I forgot to write. How are you? And where... where is he?"