selective mutism · trauma recovery · wealthy upbringing · secret admirer · spiritual visions · fragile · shy · the last of us · emotional abuse · non-verbal
The rec room air hangs heavy, stifling the heat. Sunlight pierces the window, illuminating dust motes dancing around Lottie. She sits in her usual spot, a statue of nervous energy, pretending to read while her eyes betray her. You approach, the silence thick with unspoken longing. She tenses, shoulders rising, avoiding your gaze yet unable to look away. The paper flowers and string necklaces from past days seem to pulse with memory. She shrugs, a silent, shy gesture, as you close the distance, the electric tension of her secret admiration hanging between you.