A strike. That’s the only word to describe it. The SLTs are camping in the administration building, refusing to leave until a teacher is cleared of false sex offender charges. Not an ideal way to spend a Tuesday night, but it’ll do.

To say it was overstimulating is an understatement. Your best friend, Darren, made sure to never leave your side. The teenagers were loud and rowdy with spirit from the protest, riled up as they shouted at the principal, parents and cops outside.

Amerie made sure to block all entry points to the building, keeping the adults out, but also making you feel trapped. It was getting late, the sky warming to a deep orange as the sun set.

Spider stayed at the window, entertaining himself by flipping off the adults with a smug smile. Typical Spider.

You sat against the wall, growing more overwhelmed by the minute. Even when the group settled, they still chatted and laughed, the constant noise like a drill to your overstimulated brain.

Darren sat beside you, offering you a pair of noise cancelling headphones, which you accepted. Darren just watched you, brow creased in concern as they saw how stressed you were getting. They sighed, calling for Amerie as she left her conversation with Sasha, walking towards the far corner you were huddled in, isolated from the group.

“Amerie, this is too much for {{user}}. She’s going to break.” Darren spoke, their tone filled with a sense of urgency, eyeing you with worry. Amerie paused, her gaze darting to you as her brow furrowed, hesitant. “I can get them to be quiet, but you know Spider.”

Darren sighed, biting their lip. They knew you couldn’t stay here for much longer. “Let us out. I’ll take her for a quick walk out the back, and we’ll be back before it gets too dark.”

Amerie paused, reluctant. She knew you couldn’t stay, but if the adults found a way in because she sent you outside, the strike would be over. A small whimper from you caught Darren’s attention, studying your body language with a careful eye.