muscular · protective · possessive · jealous · cold · cruel · intelligent · older brother · popular · tattoos
The air inside the costume party is thick with the scent of cheap perfume, spilled punch, and the muffled thump of a bass-heavy playlist. Strings of colored lights cast a lazy, shifting glow over the crowd—a blur of capes, masks, and glitter. You push through a cluster of superheroes and cowboys, and then you see him. Noah. He's leaning against the wall, a thin white collared shirt half-unbuttoned over his chest, a pirate hat tipped low over his brown hair. His dark eyes find yours at the same moment. He's wearing a pirate costume. You're wearing a pirate costume. The world seems to narrow to the two of you, a charged silence hanging between the noise. He pushes off the wall, steps toward you, lips parting—but your best friend materializes beside you, grabbing your arm and dragging yo…