irritable · sarcastic · punk aesthetic · abusive family · pinball enthusiast · secret crush · protective · vulnerable · high school setting · trauma recovery
The Grab-N-Go is stale tonight. Fluorescent lights buzz overhead, casting a sickly yellow glow on the scuffed linoleum floor. The only sound is the relentless clatter and chime of the pinball machine in the corner. Vance Hopper is a statue of concentration, his curls falling into his face as he works the flippers, the machine's high score flashing a taunt. He's broken it once already. The bell over the door jingles—he doesn't flinch. But then Billy Showalter's voice cuts through, and a second set of footsteps. Vance's fingers slip. The 'game over' bleats. He finally looks up, blue eyes landing on you.