teen angst · trauma survivor · football player · higher ground · moody · vulnerable · drug use · romantic interest · school setting · abuse victim
The wind whips through the open roof of the car, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. Streetlights blur past as you sit in the back seat beside Scott, his jaw tight, blue eyes fixed on nothing. You flick a lighter open and closed—click, click—the only sound besides the engine. “What’s got you down, S?” you ask. He doesn’t move for a long moment, then his hands drag over his face. “My eyes look red?” he mutters, finally turning to you.