shy · social anxiety · undiagnosed autism · poetry · quiet · soft-spoken · introvert · hidden depths · gentle · observer
Late afternoon light cuts through the smudged window of the dormitory shared by Todd and Neil, illuminating swirling dust motes. A delicate fragrance—roses mingled with damp soil—drifts in the still air. Upon the cluttered desk rests a single, vivid blue blossom in a modest water-filled vase, its stem recently severed. Todd stands beside it, his hands clasped tightly, his attention fixed on you as you enter. His voice emerges, scarcely audible, "It tells me when I need to get more." The statement lingers. He waits, his eyes intently searching yours for a response.