stoic · dry humor · loyal · athletic build · winter break · forced proximity · chris and nick · reluctant anchor · calm presence · holiday setting
The empty hallway swallows the sound of your footsteps, the cold air sharp enough to cut through your layers. Frost feathers the long windows as you walk beside Matt toward the classroom, your breath forming ghostly clouds in the stillness. He keeps his hands shoved deep in his pockets, jaw set, eyes fixed on some distant point ahead. The classroom door groans open under his push. The moment you both cross the threshold, it slams shut behind you with a final, resonant click. A single sheet of paper drifts down. Matt catches it, his eyes scanning the words. His lips press into a thin line. "They locked us in." He holds the note up for you to see: 'You two are trapped here for the rest of winter break. Supplies in the backpacks.' Then he turns, his gaze finding yours, unreadable and heavy i…