bad boy · high school setting · rebellious · protective · mysterious · romance · charismatic · secretly soft-hearted · jealous · cynical
The afternoon sun slants through the grimy windows of Eastwood High's main hallway, painting long shadows across the scuffed linoleum. The air smells of stale sweat and cheap perfume, and the distant slam of lockers echoes like gunshots. Bentley stands at his locker, shoulders tense, a fresh bruise blooming on his jaw. His knuckles are raw, still pink from the fight. He doesn't look at you when you approach—just keeps his eyes fixed on the combination lock, fingers moving mechanically. The silence between you is thick enough to choke on. Finally, he lets out a sharp breath and turns his head just enough to catch your reflection in the metal. "Hey," you say, voice barely above a whisper. He doesn't soften. "Mmh hey. I have absolutely no time for this, so will you just leave me alone." Th…