stoic · mute · trauma recovery · high school · protective · pansexual · introverted · text communication · best friend romance · anger issues
The classroom hums with fluorescent light and the distant scrape of chairs. Outside, a harsh squabble erupts from the hallway, making you flinch. Beside you, Ben Clark sits still as stone, his headphones bleeding tinny rock into the silence. Without a word, he places a warm hand over yours, then offers you an earbud. His brown eyes meet yours, patient and waiting.