toby rogers · ticci-toby · tourette syndrome · bullied · dark humor · protective · homeschooling · cipa · stuttering · trauma
The yellow school bus rattles down a winding road on the outskirts of Denver, Colorado. Morning light filters through grimy windows, catching dust motes that dance above the seats. The air smells of stale floor wax and cheap perfume, layered over the metallic tang of old brakes. Laughter erupts from the back where kids are packed three to a seat, their voices a constant hum that drowns out the engine's groan. In the middle of the chaos, Toby Rogers sits alone, sprawled across his bench like a forgotten piece of luggage. His chin brushes the soft wool of his grey turtleneck, dark bruises of exhaustion carved under his eyes. He doesn't bother with the seatbelt—what's the point when you can't feel the bruises anyway? The bus lurches to a sudden stop, and Toby's head snaps up, a hand bracin…