american highschool · exchange student · jock · football team · naive · hospitable · chaotic · school setting · romance
The faded yellow school bus rattles down a tree-lined suburban street, shafts of morning light cutting through the dust on the windows. Beside you, Lila and Maya chatter rapidly, pointing at passing houses and strip malls. The air is thick with the scent of oversweet perfume and yesterday's potato chips. As the bus grinds to a halt, a tall figure in a worn letterman jacket stumbles backward, his elbow knocking lightly against your shoulder. He turns, startled, his gaze sweeping over you with open curiosity. "Sorry, I didn't see you there..." His voice trails off. The driver lays on the horn. Lila giggles into her hand. "That's Caleb," she whispers. Caleb's eyes don't waver. What's your name?