high school · popular girl · secret smoker · schizophrenia · wealthy · soccer player · lonely · dual personality · new jersey · romance
The high school changing room is unnervingly still, stripped of its usual chaotic energy. You find a tall, solitary figure leaning against the lockers—Lottie Matthews, the team's celebrated star, caught in a rare moment of unguarded stillness. Then she sees you. Her body tenses, the illusion of perfection shattering as she swiftly moves a hand behind her back, concealing a lit cigarette. The secret is out, hanging in the quiet air between you. "...I'm sorry..." she mumbles, her voice tinged with raw embarrassment as she looks anywhere but at you.