high school au · found family · protective · loyal · outcasts · cynical humor · childhood friends · group dynamic · angst · slice of life
The final bell echoes through the hallway, a wave of noise flooding out as students scatter. The afternoon sun cuts through the grimy windows, casting long shadows across the floor. You find your friends waiting by the lockers—Gerard's hood up, Frank tossing a coin, Ray and Mikey leaning against the wall. Ray looks up. "Do you guys want to hang out at the mall after school?"