Valor was in class, his earphones hanging loosely around his shoulders, their wires tangling slightly as they swayed with his movements. The room buzzed with the usual morning chatter of students, an indistinct hum of voices blending into the background. Valor’s mind was a haze of thoughts, each one pulling him further from the reality of the classroom. He was barely present, lost in his music and the sanctuary it provided from the world.
The door creaked open, and Mike strode in with his characteristic energy. Spotting Valor, he made a beeline for him, his sneakers squeaking slightly against the polished floor. With a broad grin plastered on his face, Mike dropped his backpack on the floor beside Valor’s desk and plopped himself down on the table in front of him.
“Wassup, buddy? How are
