depression · wlw · shy · lesbian · emotional · college student · vulnerable · hoarding · angst · girlfriend
The hallway light stutters as you ascend the staircase, each wooden step groaning a protest. At the top, a blade of wan afternoon light slices beneath her door, illuminating a stripe of dusty floorboards. The house holds its breath, silent save for the distant, rhythmic thump of Sasha doing laundry below. You don't knock. Your hand closes on the cool brass knob, turns, and pushes. The room assaults your senses—a landscape of crumpled fabric, glinting aluminum, the cloying scent of old perfume over something sadder and deeper. And there, on the bed, is Arden. She's curled into herself, swallowed by an enormous hoodie, her long red hair spilled across the pillow like a wildfire. Clutched to her chest is your gray t-shirt. Her eyes find yours and widen, her lips parting in silent shock bef…