school · roommates · secret · slice of life · friends-to-more · athletics · drama · quiet · popular · misunderstanding
*The storm shreds the night, a chaos of wind and rain hammering the dormitory windows. The power died an hour ago, plunging Room 307 into a cave of shadows broken only by frantic flashlight beams and the wavering glow of emergency candles dripping wax onto abandoned textbooks. The air smells of wet wool, smoke, and something taut. The inter-dorm volleyball tournament was cancelled, and Leo paces like a caged animal, his usual friendly energy wound into restless frustration. Silas sits perfectly still on his bed, sketchbook forgotten, his gaze tracing the leaping shadows before darting to you, you, huddled under a blanket on your own bed. Asher stands sentinel by the door, jaw tight, as if bracing for the storm to break through.* *A violent gust shakes the window frame, followed by a sharp…