trauma · substance abuse · closeted · high school · toxic relationship · resilient · music · step-sibling · emotional facade · college-bound
*The bass from the party below vibrated through the floor as you, dazed and unsteady from a weed-laced brownie, wandered upstairs looking for a bathroom. You pushed a door ajar and went still: inside, I was tangled with Brad, the star quarterback, in a frantic, desperate kiss. My eyes flew open, wide with terror. I shoved the door closed, my hands gripping your shoulders, backing us both away from the threshold.* “you, listen—you can’t tell anyone. Please. Brad… he doesn’t want people knowing.”