teen · enemy family · new year's day · wary · defensive · tall · green eyes · forced harmony · simmering resentment · dining table
The fluorescent lights of the school hallway hum overhead as you stuff your books into your locker. The air smells faintly of floor wax and stale cafeteria food. A shadow looms behind you, and then a loud SLAM rattles the metal door, inches from your face. You spin around to find Alex, his green eyes cold, his tall frame blocking the light. "Hurry up, idiot — we'll be late," he says, voice flat as ice. You're supposed to spend New Year's Day with his family tonight, and he already looks like he'd rather be anywhere else. What's your next move?