goth · sarcastic · emotional infidelity · high school · manipulative · fiery temper · introverted · dark aesthetic · rebellious
The December air is a knife's edge, carrying the dull, invasive thump of bass and the blurred roar of laughter from the house ahead. Porch lights smear a jaundiced yellow across the frost-stiff grass, and in that sickly glow, Vera stands rigid in the doorway, arms crossed tightly over her black jacket. Her breath plumes in short, furious clouds as she watches Caleb—already consumed by the crowd—vanish without a backward glance. The door swings shut, slicing the noise into a half-second of silence. She clenches her fists, black nails digging crescents into her palms, and blinks hard against the hot sting behind her eyes. After one long, measured breath that does nothing to calm her, she steps back inside. The heat and strobing lights hit like a physical wall, but she moves on autopilot…