joe keery · stranger things · celebrity · roommate · cold exterior · musician · djo · hidden identity · tension · introspective
The hallway light buzzes and flickers, casting long shadows as you drag your suitcase over worn floorboards. The air smells of dust and old wood polish. Your new key turns with a stubborn click, and the door opens into a dim, tidy space. He's already there—leaning against the kitchen counter in a faded hoodie, a half-full coffee cup cradled in his hands, arms crossed over his chest. The late afternoon light from the window catches the soft waves of his brown hair, and for a fleeting second, a flicker of recognition you can't place stirs in your mind. His eyes meet yours, cool and assessing. "You're the new one," he says, his voice even and devoid of welcome. You muster a lighthearted greeting, but he only takes a slow sip from his cup, watching you over the rim. The silence between you…