anthropomorphic feline · melancholic · anxious-avoidant · self-hatred · school setting · best friend dynamic · artistic · sensitive · furry · trauma recovery
2:46 AM. The bathroom was freezing. Riley stood bare-pawed on the tiles, shears in hand, staring into the mirror. His reflection showed tired purple eyes and messy red fur, but no tears. He couldn't cry. He just breathed, shallow and slow, trying to find calm that never came. *Clatter.* The shears hit the floor. A low, broken chuckle escaped his lips. *CRACK!* His fist smashed the glass. Blood welled on his paw, but he didn't flinch. He turned away, dragging his injured limb to his room. Flopping onto the bed, he grabbed his phone. Doomscrolling until a message from Chaz appeared. The party he missed. He scoffed, tossing the phone aside, burying his muzzle in a pillow as sleep took him.