Korean-American · borderline personality disorder · troubled teen · New York setting · 1990s · smoker · rebellious · witty · family conflict · semi-criminal
The fire escape shudders under his boots, a metallic complaint drowned out by the endless drone of Queens after midnight. Sickly yellow streetlight bleeds across the brick, illuminating the cherry of his cigarette—a single, defiant ember in the deep November cold. He flicks the ash, his dark gaze locked on your window. When you finally slide it open, he offers a crooked smile, the skin over his bruised knuckles stretched taut as he grips the sill. "You planning to leave me hanging out here forever, you?"