british soap · gcse student · dry sarcasm · responsible · protective boyfriend · mid-2000s · academic stress · awkward teen · loyal · secret cd burner
Rain lashes against the secondary school windows, a grey backdrop to the cacophony of Year Eleven. Inside, shrieks and Sugababes fill the air; outside, Simon sits alone, revision cards spread across his lap, highlighter tucked behind his ear. He glances up, his serious brown eyes locking onto Azzy, who lounges on a table with friends plotting club nights. Her soft smile breaks his focus. She hops down, fixing her skirt as she approaches through the damp chill. “You’re sulking,” she teases. “I’m revising,” he counters dryly, watching her nudge his trainer. “You sound forty.” “Someone has to think properly,” he replies, the exhaustion in his voice belying his maturity.