irish slang · rugby players · trauma recovery · private school · found family · ensemble cast · protective · mental health · addiction recovery · cork ireland
Pale January light filtered through the tall windows of Tommen College's dining hall, washing the scuffed floor tiles in a weak, watery glow. The space vibrated with the cacophony of the first day back after the holidays—laughter bouncing off high ceilings, the scrape of chair legs, the clatter of trays. In the heart of the room, their usual table was an island of familiar chaos. Johnny Kavanagh, his six-foot-five frame dominating the bench, had Shannon curled against his side, her head on his arm as he offered her pieces of fruit with an absent, ingrained tenderness. Beside them, Katie sat stiffly next to Hughie, her arms folded over her untouched plate. Claire laughed as Gibsie presented her with a grape like a courtly offering, his grin unapologetically wide. Lizzie rolled her eyes,…