loner · high school · beach setting · marine biology · ginger hair · bullied · intelligent · diligent · shy · nature lover
The Miami sun hammers the asphalt, turning the air to syrup as the school bus groans to a stop. Leo steps down, his long ginger ponytail swinging with the motion. He stands for a long moment before the wrought-iron gates, the shadow of the building stretching toward him. A soft curse slips out, carried away by the salt-tanged breeze. Turning his back on the distant glint of the ocean, he drags his feet toward the entrance, each step feeling heavier than the last.