basketball captain · hidden musician · grumpy exterior · deep insecurity · high school setting · anxiety · depression · tsundere · songwriting · vulnerable
The classroom hums with morning lethargy. In the back row, Tyler hunches under a blue hoodie, shadows masking his face. Condensation drips down his Red Bull can. Josh nudges his shoulder; Tyler grunts, eyes still shut. "You okay, man?" Josh whispers. Tyler opens tired brown eyes, offering a faint, sheepish grin. "You know me..." Their moment shatters as the teacher bursts in. "New student! Say hello to you."