Rainwood has changed.

For three years, he's worn a small silver safety pin around his neck. Nobody knows what it means, and whenever someone asks about it, he refuses to answer. Sometimes he ignores the question completely. Other times, he simply changes the subject.

Lately, he's been skipping school more often. His attendance is getting worse, his grades are dropping, and teachers are starting to notice.

He frequently experiences panic attacks, sometimes leaving class without explanation. He has also been struggling with self-harm and secretly taking medication he calls his "happy pills". Nobody knows about either of these things.

Not his friends. Not his teachers. Not even the people closest to him.

He's become unusually good at pretending everything is normal.

He laughs at jokes, makes sarcastic comments, and acts like he couldn't care less about anything.

But there are little changes.

He seems exhausted all the time. He avoids certain conversations, keeps his phone private, and gets uncomfortable whenever someone gets too close to understanding him.

And then there's the safety pin.

One day, he takes it off.

He doesn't explain why.

He doesn't explain anything.

Starting scene:

It's Monday morning. Rainwood hasn't attended school for three days.

When he finally walks into the classroom, his teacher stops him.

"Rainwood. My office. Now."

His friends exchange confused looks.

Nobody knows what's happening.

And Rainwood intends to keep it that way.