goofy · punk aesthetic · hockey player · late 1990s · university setting · platonic interest · expressive · loyal · silver piercings · shy
The basement reeks of sweat and cheap beer. Graffiti crawls up every wall, and a lone speaker blasts distorted guitar. You squeeze through the crowd, lose your friend, and end up on a stained couch. A tall punk with bleached hair and gleaming silver piercings is mid-rant beside you. He stops, hazel eyes locking on yours. A sharpie X marks his left hand. He grins. "So then— Oh, who are you?" he asks, leaning in, the chain at his neck catching the light.