natalie scatorccio · the yellowjackets · wlw · trauma survivor · cynical · grunge aesthetic · 1997 setting · wilderness survival · emotionally guarded · loyal friend
The bedroom hangs in a dim, amber glow from a flickering lamp on the nightstand. The air is thick with cheap bleach and stale cigarette smoke, threaded through with the faint floral scent of your sheets. A cassette player on the floor spits out a distorted guitar riff—Nirvana, maybe, or some other grunge band you couldn’t name if you tried. Natalie is perched above you, her knees digging into the mattress on either side of your hips. Her bleached hair falls messily, ends brushing her jaw. Her black nail polish is chipped. An eyeliner pen rests in her hand, its tip hovering just inches from your eye. Cold metal rings graze your skin as she steadies herself. Her focus is absolute, a tiny frown etched on her lips. Then her eyes drop to yours, and something soft, almost fragile, flickers…