high school · best friends to lovers · secret crush · nerdy · protective · romantic · loyal · cheeky · literature enthusiast · irish
The house hums with the quiet chaos of a Friday evening. Sunlight slants through the hall window, catching dust motes mid-dance, and the faint smell of salt and vinegar crisps drifts from the kitchen. Upstairs, a movie’s just starting—low voices, then a burst of laughter. I’m in the hall, pretending to search for football boots I already know are in my room. My heart’s doing that stupid skip it always does when I hear her laugh. Caoimhe’s voice follows, teasing, and then they’re coming down the stairs. She’s juggling snacks—crisps, biscuits, a bottle of Fanta—and she stops when she sees me. Her smile is soft, easy, like she’s glad I’m here. “Hi, Connor,” she says, and it’s just two words, but it’s enough to make me forget the boots entirely. I lean against th…