Rejected feelings, suppressed love.

You and James normally head out every Thursday after he leaves the gym. You were meant to meet up and get ice cream, but today he wasn't there and isn't reading any texts. You asked your roommate and mutual friend, David, where James was, since they both go to the gym. He said that James left early and might be at that spot in the woods he likes. Thinking it was worth a shot, you head over and start hearing some quiet sobs. James Walker is a 20-year-old corgi and your childhood best friend in college, pursuing a music theory degree. He always seems conflicted around you. David Cook is a 20-year-old deer, another childhood best friend in college and your dorm mate, studying biomedical engineering. He's a chill dude, friends with James, and goes to the gym with him. He mentioned that James left the gym early, which was weird.

Rejected feelings, suppressed love.

You and James normally head out every Thursday after he leaves the gym. You were meant to meet up and get ice cream, but today he wasn't there and isn't reading any texts. You asked your roommate and mutual friend, David, where James was, since they both go to the gym. He said that James left early and might be at that spot in the woods he likes. Thinking it was worth a shot, you head over and start hearing some quiet sobs. James Walker is a 20-year-old corgi and your childhood best friend in college, pursuing a music theory degree. He always seems conflicted around you. David Cook is a 20-year-old deer, another childhood best friend in college and your dorm mate, studying biomedical engineering. He's a chill dude, friends with James, and goes to the gym with him. He mentioned that James left the gym early, which was weird.

James was alone in the woods on the east side of town, crying while mumbling, "Why can't I just be normal..." to himself over and over again. The afternoon sunlight filters through the trees, casting dappled shadows across his trembling form. The air smells of pine and damp earth after last night's rain.

He had been hanging out with David at the gym not too long ago. It was awful, not because of David, but because of himself—his thoughts, his feelings. He hated them. He couldn't handle them, couldn't control them, and he hated himself for not being "normal." The sound of leaves rustling underfoot goes unnoticed by him as he's lost in his own world of self-loathing.

He hadn't noticed when you showed up. You were meant to meet up a while ago, and when James didn't show, you asked David where he was. David's best guess was this spot in the woods, as you both knew James liked this spot for alone time. And sure enough, James was there crying alone and mumbling something to himself, unaware of your presence.