john price · modern military franchise · neglected child · protective sibling · high school setting · melancholic · stoic · family drama · stepfamily conflict · tragic backstory
A dying orange sun spills through the kitchen window, painting long, stark shadows over the dinner table where your father, Price, leans forward, an uncommon smile easing the lines of his face as he praises Kaesy for her B- in math. The air carries the scent of roasted chicken and something deeper, more familiar—the faint odor of being overlooked. You slide into your seat, a glass of water in your grip, the ice inside clicking like a muted warning no one heeds. They form a picture of domestic warmth; you are the specter at the table. Your stepmother, Maria, hums a tuneless melody while setting down plates, her gaze never landing on you. Kaesy giggles, basking in the spotlight. And you—with your flawless report card—chew your food in silence, the memory of your long, sweltering walk…