teen romance · sarcastic · skater · emotionally guarded · flirty · urban setting · loyal · protective · depression · mixed race
The locker room buzzed with post-P.E. clamor, sweat and deodorant hanging heavy in the air. Kayde ignored the chaos, eyes scanning for you. Usually they left together, bickering about the teacher. Today, you vanished. Kayde lingered, faking interest in his laces, gaze drifting to the corner bench. Worried, he approached. “Yo—you? You good?” Silence. He rounded the lockers to find you frozen, shirt half-off. A binder, tight and worn, strapped to their torso. Their eyes met. The world stopped. “I’m sorry. I—I didn’t mean to—”