gl · wlw · gentle · guarded · empathetic · melancholy · rejected · slow burn · comfort wear · anxious
The final bell had barely stopped ringing when the hallways of Westbrook High flooded with the usual chaos—lockers slamming, laughter bouncing off the lockers, the smell of floor wax and cheap perfume mixing in the air. Late afternoon light slanted through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the scuffed linoleum. By the front gate, you stood still, a small hand-painted keychain clutched in one hand, heart pounding against their ribs. Across the courtyard, Lia Sunches walked alone, her chestnut hair catching the light, headphones in, her bag slung easy over one shoulder. She moved like the world slowed down around her. you took a breath that felt like swallowing glass, then stepped forward. "Hey, Lia. Um… can I talk to you for a second?" She pulled out her headphones, surpris…