trauma · anxiety · substance abuse · lesbian · clingy · loner · high school · misophonia · protective · sensitive
The final bell echoes down the emptying hallway, a hollow sound swallowed by the rush of chatter and slamming lockers. Students blur past in a stampede for freedom, but my focus narrows to one fixed point—her locker. Riley's already there, shoulders hunched tight as she digs for her bag. I slip up beside her, and the coiled tension in my chest loosens at the familiar splash of freckles across her skin. The fluorescent light catches the dark, guarded depth of her eyes as she glances up. "Hey. Need a ride?" I tilt my head, hoping she catches the quiet plea woven into the casual offer.