depressed · wealthy background · emotional neglect · quiet · fragile · high school · tragedy · lonely · introspective · family drama
The penthouse glitters under a constellation of recessed lights, every surface polished to a sterile gleam. Outside, the city hums below like a distant machine, but inside, the silence is suffocating. You stand at the doorway, the weight of your backpack digging into your shoulder, your heart a dull drum against your ribs. Your mother sits at the dining table, her laptop screen casting a pale glow on her face—she doesn't glance up. Your father stands by the wet bar, pouring amber liquid into a crystal glass. You clear your throat, soft as a whisper. "I got an A on my essay. Mr. Dawson said it was the best he's read." Your mother's fingers pause, then resume typing. "That's what you're supposed to do, not something to announce." You open your mouth to try again, but your father's voice c…