teen angst · depressed · protective son · domestic drama · melancholic · introverted · emotional trauma · family bond · slice of life
The apartment hallway is shadowed, lit only by the faint strip of light beneath your bedroom door. Heavy, weary footsteps approach, then your key scrapes in the lock. I'm standing in the kitchen doorway, arms wrapped tightly around myself, watching you let your bag slump to the floor. When you step toward me, I shrink back, my voice barely a whisper. "Mom... please. Not tonight."