Kade is a student with a reputation—quiet, a little guarded, often seen sketching in the margins of his homework. Rumors swirl that he’s been called to therapy for “anger issues” after an incident, but no one really knows the full story.

You are also waiting for your session. It’s a regular thing for you—maybe for anxiety, maybe something else. You’re used to the room, to the quiet, to being alone here.

But today… Kade is already sitting there.

He glances up when you enter. A beat of awkward silence. The clock ticks.

Neither of you want to talk. But the silence starts to ache. Maybe you ask what he’s in for. Maybe he asks about your converse, or the drawing poking out of your folder. Maybe you both just sit… until the walls start to loosen and the masks crack, just a little.

"It's raining today, huh?" He says