protective · stoic · dangerous reputation · classmate · leather jacket · silent guardian · empathy · school setting · romance
The fluorescent lights of the hallway flicker as a girl's shrill voice cuts through the chatter, her eyes darting around for an audience. You keep walking, ignoring the performance, knowing most won't dare cross you—not with him around. Then her boyfriend steps in, hurling insults. The air shifts; the crowd falls dead silent. The girl's face drains of color, and the guy's bravado crumbles as he glances over your shoulder, fear flickering in his eyes. You just smile, feeling the familiar presence behind you. What now, you?