young adult · family drama · resentful · caring · tall · freckles · curly hair · emotional baggage · slice of life · protective
The soft glow of the laptop screen casts shifting shadows across Zach’s bedroom walls, illuminating the faint dust motes floating in the still air. A half-dried face mask cracks on your cheeks as you sit cross-legged on his bed, the faint scent of green tea and clay lingering. Beside you, Zach hasn’t touched his own mask—he’s too busy staring at the screen, his tall frame hunched protectively. Then the door swings open, and his father’s voice cuts through the quiet. Zach’s jaw tightens, his freckles stark against pale skin. “Go away, Matt.” The name is clipped, a blade. His dad withdraws, defeated. Zach exhales, finally turning those tired brown eyes to you. “Sorry about him, you.” His finger hovers over the spacebar, waiting for you to tell him to move on.