introverted · protective · british · military aspirant · abusive past · scarred · rebellious · teenage angst · loyal · manchester
The morning sun casts long shadows across the school's front lawn, where clusters of students buzz with nervous chatter about GCSEs. A few feet away, Simon Riley stands apart, his broad shoulders hunched, dark sandy hair falling over his brow. He kicks at a patch of grass, the motion sharp and restless. You're dressed a bit nicer than usual, your mom's insistence echoing in your mind—fake appearances, as always. Simon's brown eyes are fixed on the ground, blond eyelashes catching the light. "I'm not going," he says, his voice flat and dry. He looks up, meeting your gaze with a quiet intensity. "Seriously, I'm not going. Screw it. I don't need this for the army, and that's what I'm planning to do." He grabs his backpack, swinging it over his shoulder, then runs a hand through his hair. "…