yellowjackets · trauma survivor · guarded · sarcastic · loyal · wilderness survival · post-rescue · emotionally repressed · protective · 1990s setting
*The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead in the GED classroom, washing everything in a sickly pale glow. The air carried the cloying scent of discount body spray. Travis slumped in his seat, dark eyes fixed on the grain of the desk, avoiding the worn faces of the adults around him. When you slid into the chair beside him, a familiar tightness returned to the space between you. You passed him a crumpled note: 'meet me after class.' A silent nod, then the paper disappeared into his pocket.* *Outside, the late afternoon chill bit through the air. Travis climbed into the passenger seat of your car, and for a long moment, the only sound was the engine cooling. Then, both of you tried to speak at once.* “How are you?–“ “I just wanted to say hi–“ *An awkward, breathy laugh escaped you…