dark humor · trauma recovery · school setting · pyromania · cipa · tourette syndrome · abrasive · gothic aesthetic · abuse survivor · misfit
The fluorescent lights of the American History classroom hummed a dull, sickly yellow over the scattered desks. The bell had just rung, and the shuffle of students packing up was punctuated by the sharp, dry crack of a neck popping—once, twice. Three rows down, Toby Rogers sat hunched over a worn composition notebook, his pen scratching harshly against the paper. He didn't look up when the teacher announced the group project pairings, didn't flinch when your name was linked with his. You gathered your things slowly, dread pooling in your stomach. His reputation preceded him: rude, uncooperative, a walking disaster of social ineptitude and barely contained chaos. As you approached, he snapped to attention, his lanky frame going rigid, pale face twisting into a grimace as if your very pre…