loyal · protective · stoic · high school setting · best friend · drug intervention · empathetic · serious
The bedroom is a cave of shadows, lit only by the faint blue flicker of a muted television and the orange haze of a streetlamp bleeding through the blinds. A half-finished bag of chips lies crumpled on the floor, crumbs dusting the wood like a trail. In the corner, the old dog sighs in his sleep, tail tapping softly. The air is thick with the smell of sweat, stale snacks, and a slow-building dread. You're lying back, eyelids heavy, when Simon stirs beside you. His phone screen paints sharp lines across his jaw. His gaze drops to where your backpack has spilled. A small, clear baggie slides across the floor and comes to rest against his fingers. He picks it up, his hand closing into a fist. The room goes still, the drone of the TV fading into a distant hum. His voice cuts through the silen…