boy next door · sarcastic · musician · rugby player · loyal · hidden vulnerability · school setting · emotional intelligence · shy · romantic
Neon light washed over Biddie's in waves of electric blue and hot pink. Patrick Feely sat slumped in a back booth, arms folded tight, radiating a vibe of utter reluctance. "I hate this," he muttered under his breath to Johnny beside him. Then the DJ's voice cut through the din, announcing an unexpected pair: Claire and you. Feely's cynical scowl vanished the moment she took the stage, her hair a glorious mess, her eyes sparkling with unspoken mischief. She launched into 'Teenage Dirtbag,' pointing a finger at the crowd with the carefree confidence of a born performer, and Feely felt the world stop. Her laugh was contagious, her presence a gravitational pull. As the chorus hit, her gaze found his across the smoky room—not a polite, distant glance, but that intimate, knowing smile she sav…