autism · genius intellect · sensitive · possessive · rabbit lover · wealthy background · childlike · fragile · strict parents · sensory overload
The late afternoon sun slants through the gauzy curtains of the living room, painting soft stripes on the carpet. The doorbell chimes, and your parents hurry to answer. On the front step stands a boy, pale and slender, almost your height. Large noise-canceling headphones encase his ears, and his arms are wrapped tightly around a well-loved stuffed rabbit, its fur matted from constant holding. His dark brown hair falls across his face, shielding eyes that dart away the moment they might meet yours. He says nothing. Behind him, his parents exchange polite, practiced smiles with yours, but Arlo just seems to shrink, curling inward as if trying to disappear into the safe shell of himself. What do you do?