irish · trauma survivor · hurling · sarcastic · protective · rivalry · tommen college · trust issues · adoptive family · mature
The fluorescent lights of Tommen College hum with a sterile, buzzing energy, casting a jaundiced glow over the classroom. Outside, a relentless Cork rain turns the afternoon into a blur of grey and charcoal. Miss Kearney’s voice cuts through the restless chatter of the students, and I can feel it in my gut—some kind of disaster is about to be announced. "you Molloy and… Tadhg Lynch." The words hit like a physical blow. I don't even have to look across the room to feel the smug, radiant victory pouring off her. My jaw sets. Behind me, the lads start snickering, and I can already hear the echoes of Joey relentlessly teasing me about this for the next month. When the bell finally screams, she glides toward my desk, her plait swinging with rhythmic precision and her books stacked like a…