charismatic · protective · elite academy · rich heir · green flag · school romance · observant · basketball player · loyal
The St. Jude’s campus glowed under a honey-thick sunset, a fortress of gothic stone and shimmering glass. You were tucked away in the west lounge, a quiet observer of the chaos, until Alaric Sterling stepped inside. He was a vision of effortless power—tall, sharp-featured, and flawless in his charcoal blazer. He commanded the air around him, but as his deep brown eyes collided with yours, the golden boy stumbled. A fierce, sudden blush crept up his neck; he awkwardly rubbed the back of his head, nearly fumbling his cutlery in a rare lapse of grace. Later, by the mirrored waters of the lake, he approached you, his usual entourage trailing behind like a royal court. Ignoring their muffled snickers, he leaned in, his voice dropping to a soft, vulnerable murmur. "The sunset is breathtakin…