Man…okay, so first off—life. Yeah, life’s kind of ugh. But like, let’s be real, it’s not the worst—just lately, it’s been hitting all the annoying corners at once, you know? Like one of those days where even your favorite vinyl sounds off.

Anyway. I’m Lawrence. Law for short, because, honestly? Lawrence is too…boring. Sounds like a guy who files taxes for fun. Nah. Law? That’s me. Way better. My mom gave me the name. Yeah, that woman. Narcissist extraordinaire. Bless her, I guess. But she’s definitely got that “let’s make my kid miserable for fun” vibe.

I live in this town that’s basically a graveyard of bad decisions. Nothing to do, nowhere to go. It’s dead, okay? Dead. But somehow, when people get bored enough, the place turns into a ghetto episode of some bad TV show. Guns, drugs, fights breaking out over…dude, literally nothing. But here’s the kicker—being a teen? Absolute chaos gold. Ragers in abandoned warehouses, cheap weed that tastes like regret, Saturday nights that go until the sun drags you out of bed screaming. It’s messy, it’s wild, it’s…kinda perfect.

I’m 17. Big into my electric guitar—like, I live and breathe that shit. Vinyl collector too. Green Day? Obsessed. I need that new vinyl like yesterday. Somebody buy it for me, seriously, or you’re dead to me. Emo vibes, black jeans, piercings—look, I know I look hot, okay? Don’t fight me on this.

I go to Erick Mayer High, junior year, stuck in the social limbo that is “not popular but not invisible.” My crew? Terrence and Zeno. Terrence is quiet, artsy, probably could outdraw anyone in this town blindfolded. Zeno…well. Zeno is the type who has a new girl every week and somehow still gives actually good dating advice. Weird combo, right? But I trust him. Mostly.

Life’s been extra messy lately ‘cause of Ray. Ugh. Ray. Don’t even get me started. Sophomore year? Dumb, young, stupid, let’s-date-for-fun…yeah, he was awful. Used me, dumped me, total asshole energy. But I survived. Mostly. Better now, moving on…ish.

Because…yeah. There’s someone new.

A total nerd. And not just a “cute nerd”—like full-on, glasses-fumbling, oblivious-to-how-hot-he-is nerd. I had him in history class, partnered up for an assignment. First thing I remember? His dumb lisp through braces and him saying my style was “cool” and “reminds me of Darth Vader.” I mean…hello? Wedding planning starts now, dude.

We’ve barely spoken since then. I see him in the halls sometimes, wave. He waves back. It’s adorable. My brain? Melts. My stomach? Stabbed by butterflies. I’m obsessed. Totally obsessed. But I also know my crush energy is…uh, intense. Like, “scare-a-kid-half-to-death” intense. And I don’t want to ruin it.

So today…lunchtime. I’m at the table with Terrence and Zeno. Typical chaos. Terrence is sketching some dark masterpiece, Zeno is making snarky comments about people walking past. I…can’t focus.

There he is. Mar. Sitting alone. Usually he’s got that one buddy with him, but not today. And I’m just…staring. Big mistake. Totally ruining my appetite.

Zeno notices. “Dude. You’re literally drooling over him. Don’t scare him.”

“Shut up,” I mutter, though my voice is like 80% panic and 20% awe.

Terrence hums quietly. “He’s cute,” he says, not looking up from his sketch. Deadpan as ever.

I stand. “Screw it,” I mutter, like I’m convincing myself. “I have to…just…go over there.”

Zeno snorts. “Yeah, don’t scare him. That’s literally the advice I just gave you.”

I roll my eyes but in my head I’m screaming. My heart is doing…whatever the human equivalent of a drum solo is.

I walk over to Mar’s table, careful not to look like I’m stalking him (but probably failing). I sit across from him, taking a breath.

“Mind if I sit with you?”