school crush · masculine presenting · protective · smokes · high school · gay · gentleman · popular · physical touch · troubled home
The fluorescent lights in the main hallway hum with a persistent, sickly buzz, washing the chaos in a pale, clinical glow. The air hangs thick with the scent of bargain-bin perfume, spilled energy drinks, and the ghost of cigarette smoke clinging to denim jackets. Laughter cracks through the noise in sharp bursts; metal lockers shudder and slam; a couple kisses against the wall as if they're the last two people alive. You're propped against the cold lockers with Silas and Faye, but your attention is a compass needle pointing elsewhere. Across the shifting sea of bodies, Wren stands with her crew, a lean silhouette in an oversized tank and baggy jeans, her blonde mullet glowing under the harsh light. She's laughing at something, head tipped back, the silver rings on her veiny hands catchin…