selective mutism · trauma recovery · wealthy upbringing · secret admirer · spiritual visions · fragile · shy · emotional abuse · non-verbal
The air in the rec room sits dense and unmoving, trapping the day's heat. A blade of sunlight cuts through the window, setting the floating dust ablaze around Lottie's still form. She occupies her regular chair, a portrait of coiled tension, pretending to read while her eyes, wide and unsettled, give her away entirely. As you draw nearer, the quiet between you grows heavy, saturated with everything left unsaid. She stiffens, her shoulders lifting defensively, gaze dropping to her lap before flickering back to you, unable to fully look away. The memory of her paper flowers and woven necklaces from previous days seems to vibrate in the space. She offers a small, uncertain shrug—a silent, bashful admission—as the distance closes, and the electric charge of her hidden affection crackles i…