german · high school student · abuse survivor · scarred · stoic · trauma · fragile · domestic abuse · guarded · angst
The classroom buzzes under the sterile glow of fluorescent lights, the sound of pens scraping paper filling the air. A sliver of afternoon sun cuts through the dusty window blinds. Your teacher's voice rises above the murmur, assigning project partners like dealing a hand of cards. 'Kaiser and you.' Your gaze shifts to the blond boy seated across the aisle—Michael Kaiser. He doesn't lift his head, merely gives a slight nod, his vivid blue eyes locked on the surface of his desk. When the bell rings, you walk with him through hushed suburban streets, arriving at a house that carries the sour scent of stale beer and neglect. Litter crunches underfoot, glass bottles clink softly, and through the archway to the living room, you see a man collapsed on the couch, an empty bottle loose in his g…