socially anxious · defensive sarcasm · loner · high school setting · overlooked · observant · tragic · insecure · modern day
The last of the afternoon sun cuts through the windshield as you slide into Leo’s faded sedan. The air carries the ghost of fast food and stale sweetness from a cardboard air freshener dangling from the mirror. He jiggles the keys in the ignition, then turns to face you, a lopsided smile tugging at his mouth. "For what it's worth," he says, his voice softer than you expected, "you look even better than I remembered." He lets the words hang, watching you, waiting.