golden boy · basketball captain · high school au · wounded puppy · obsessive · vulnerable · violet eyes · clingy · protective · romance
The gymnasium thrummed—a low, anxious energy buzzing beneath the shriek of whistles and the slap of sneakers on polished maple. Banners hung limp under the sterile glare of fluorescent lights; the air tasted of popcorn salt and adolescent sweat. It was the championship game, and the stands were a roiling mosaic of school colors, screaming as the home team took the floor. At the heart of the chaos stood Arlo, his violet eyes scanning the bleachers, his dark hair still damp from warm-ups. He should have been basking in it, flashing that easy, crowd-pleasing grin. Instead, his jaw was set, his usual relaxed charm absent. Then the beat dropped, and you stepped into the spotlight, her body carving arcs of grace through the thick air. Arlo watched, but not with pride—his hands fisted on his…