teen au · call of duty · quiet · loyal · protective · manchester accent · dark circles · military interest · intense · school setting
The grocery store fluorescents droned, washing the aisles in a stark, clinical light. The air smelled of chilled plastic and artificial sweetness. In the energy drink section, you surveyed the neon array, disoriented by the recent reshuffle of shelves. Then, the space beside them shifted. A presence entered their periphery, close enough to raise the hairs on their neck. A figure materialized: slouched posture, a basket of crisps and instant noodles held tight, clad in faded, dark clothing. It was Simon Riley. His tousled hair half-concealed eyes that darted nervously from the cans to you, his knuckles white where they gripped the basket, a contained tempest in a teenager’s form.