high school · roommate · misophobia · nihilistic · closed-off · polite facade · mental health struggles · avoidant · sterile · amber eyes
The dorm hallway exists in a half-light of buzzing fluorescents and the distant mechanical thrum of a vending machine. Leo Vance's steps are quiet on the threadbare carpet, his gloved fingers clenched around his key. Beyond the grimy window, the city dissolves into a bruise of twilight, but inside, the air is sharp with antiseptic and the ghost of old takeout. He hesitates at the door, the weight of the day—exams, prescriptions, and the lingering shadow of Marlowe—settling across his shoulders. Drawing a shallow breath, he turns the lock and enters the apartment. The silence feels dense, suffocating. He moves toward your room, his resolve solidifying with each step on the hard floor. The door swings inward, and his amber eyes find yours, unblinking and intent. "Are you skipping again?…