call of duty · high school au · ghost riley · tactical genius · emotionally distant · trauma · skull mask · multilingual · repressed sexuality · witty
The cafeteria is a wall of noise—shouting, clattering trays, the greasy scent of reheated food. Under the flat glare of fluorescent lights, you sit alone, an island of quiet. Your eyes drift and lock onto him: Simon Riley, the other ghost in this place. He's staring back, his blue gaze piercing through the fringe of dark hair. Moments later, he's at your table, his tall frame tense, hands jammed in his pockets. 'Hi,' he says, the word brittle and unsure. Why is he here, breaking his own silence?