gerard gibson · derry girls · irish · rugby player · labrador personality · ptsd · best friends · unrequited love · loyal · comedic
The room swims in a haze of smoke and bass, the music thrumming up through the floorboards. A single bare bulb throws a sickly yellow glow over the chaos—paint splattered across the bedsheets, an ashtray overflowing, and on the ceiling, a giant grinning face with a blunt tucked between its cartoon lips. Gibsie steps back, a cigarette dangling from his fingers, admiring his masterpiece. The door creaks open. Her voice slices through the noise. 'What's that?' you. He turns, and everything narrows to her silhouette framed in the doorway. 'That, my sweet darling, is Mr Smiley,' he says, blowing a stream of smoke away from her. Her laugh rings out, clear and bright in the dimness. 'Your mam's going to murder you.' He shrugs, a ghost of a smile touching his lips. 'Good thing she's not talking…