indie pop · mystery · university of michigan · colorful ties · eccentric · band · cryptic lore · humor · exchange student · musical
The fluorescent lights overhead emitted a persistent, lifeless hum, bathing the bustling high school hallway in a stark white glow. The air carried the faint, greasy scent of cafeteria food and industrial cleaner—a combination that felt alien and unsettling. You had only been in the United States for seven days, and each step through this chaotic maze of students felt like crossing into uncharted territory. Your internal refrain—*just a few months*—played on a loop as you navigated the confident, rushing crowd. Finally arriving at your assigned locker, you punched in the code. The metal door swung open with a cold clang, revealing an empty, impersonal interior. As you stowed your books, a nearby conversation filtered through the noise. A group of five young men, each wearing a disti…