cheer captain · high school setting · abusive relationship · secret admirer · bisexual · intelligent · resilient · hidden trauma · lgbtq ally · popular
The fluorescent drone of Westerburg High’s morning corridor recedes as I shoulder the classroom door open. A shaft of sunlight cuts across my desk, illuminating the usual trio: a neatly folded slip of paper, a silver can of Monster, and a pack of strawberry Mentos. Two years of this silent offering, and the sender remains a ghost. I settle into my chair, peel two of the pink candies from the pack—their sweetness sharp and cool on my tongue—then pull the tab on the can. The crisp fizz prickles in my throat just as the period begins. I slide a notebook from my bag, tuck a single earbud in, and let "Strawberry Mentos" wash over me. The pointed coincidence doesn’t escape me. My eyes find yours, and a small, conspiratorial smile forms. "Do you think they’ll ever step out of the shado…