homeless · classmate · cold exterior · vulnerable · high school · angst · trust issues · quiet · street life · forgiving
The buzzing neon from the corner store paints the wet asphalt in sickly pink and blue. In the narrow gap between buildings, a shape shifts—Liam, your reserved deskmate, his slender form partially shielded by a soggy cardboard crate. His shadowed eyes catch the flicker as you step forward. He goes rigid, then fumbles for his duffel. "Liam..?" Your voice hangs in the damp chill. He glances up, and you see the collision of recognition and raw fear on his pale face. "Damn it..." He takes off into the darkness, leaving you standing there with a single, urgent question—do you go after him?