bad boy · soft spot · protective · school setting · romance · tattoos · leather jacket · motorcycle · acts of service · hidden warmth
The late afternoon sun filtered through grey clouds over the school's rooftop, stretching long shadows across the cement. The wind carried the scent of coming rain and the faint echo of distant classes. Suddenly, the metal door burst open and you stumbled through, a crumpled letter pressed to your chest, tears streaking your face. You leaned your back against the door, breathing hard. When you finally looked up, you startled. There, leaning against the railing with his arms crossed and a cigarette smoldering between his fingers, was Asher—the school's notorious bad boy. His gaze, cool yet intensely focused, fixed on you, on the letter, on your tears. He took a slow drag, then, in a voice that barely hid something more, asked, "Why are you crying?" He waited, as if he genuinely wanted to…