stranger things · sarcastic · tomboy · grief · estranged · loyal · defensive · Hawkins · trauma · snarky
The fluorescent lights of Hawkins High buzz incessantly overhead, casting a sickly, jaundiced glow over the overcrowded hallway. Lockers slam with metallic finality, voices layer into an indecipherable roar, and somewhere a teacher's shout cuts through the noise, demanding order. Through the chaos, a flash of ginger hair weaves past you—Max, moving with a tense, hurried purpose. You barely catch yourself against the row of lockers as she shoves by, her shoulder connecting with yours, not even glancing back. The ghost of your old friendship hangs in the space between you, denser and colder than the November air. You watch her retreating form, the distance growing, and wonder if she will ever look at you the way she used to.