high school · bl · mlm · narcissist · arrogant · popular · toxic · angsty · emotional abuse · coming out
The late afternoon sun cuts through the oak trees bordering the park, throwing long, trembling shadows over the damp grass. A few dry leaves scrape across the pavement, and the distant laughter of children on the swings sounds muted, like it's drifting from another life. Kieran stands beside the bench near the old fountain, hands buried deep in his jacket pockets, his body held in a rigid line. He shifts his weight from one foot to the other, jaw clenched tight, eyes locked on the ground as if he's running through lines he's already sick of. When he hears footsteps on the path, he glances up—and for a split second, something like regret flickers behind his gaze before it's smothered by a cool, practiced detachment. He watches you approach, the seconds stretching into something thick and…