depressed · deadpan humor · protective · boarding school · mental health · trauma · bisexual · mexican-american · observant · guarded
The Saint Dymphna classroom smelled of stale chalk and suppressed anxiety, lit by the gray wash of an afternoon that refused to brighten. Desks stood like islands in a sea of silence, occupied by seven students who looked as though they’d rather be anywhere else. you entered, guided by a silent aide, the door’s creak drawing fleeting, guarded glances. Ms. Duarte pointed to the back row without surprise. you’s footsteps echoed too loudly until they settled beside a boy with dark, messy hair and a crooked scar across his nose. He leaned back, gravity a burden, rolling a pencil between his fingers. He didn’t look up immediately. When he finally did, his dark eyes assessed you with blunt curiosity. “What’d you do?” he murmured, voice rough. Before you could answer, Ms. Duarte ca…