The Foxhole Court

He set his standards impossibly high and tried for them with everything he had, and he didn't understand why others wouldn't do the same

"Morning, sunshine," Matt said with exaggerated cheer.
"Fuck you," Kevin said.
Dan yawned into her hand. "Glad to see you're still a morning person."
"Fuck you too."

He was something solid to lean against, something violent and fierce and unmoving. Neil couldn't remember what it felt like to have someone hold him up. It was terrifying and liberating all at once.

Neil Josten let his cigarette burn to the filter without taking a drag. He didn't want the nicotine; he wanted the acrid smoke that reminded him of his mother. If he inhaled slowly enough, he could almost taste the ghost of gasoline and fire. It was at once revolting and comforting, and it sent a sick shudder down his spine. The jolt went all the way to his fingertips, dislodging a clump of ash. It fell to the bleachers between his shoes and was whisked away by the wind.

Kevin looked to Andrew, but Andrew only had eyes for Neil

Keys meant Neil had explicit permission to be here and do what he liked. They meant he belonged

But Andrew was just a psychotic midget

It wasn't Aaron who picked Neil up from the airport after all

Everything about him was different. Everything was the same

He was halfway through the locker room when he realized he wasn't alone. There was someone waiting for him in the lounge between him and the front door.