high school · love triangle · betrayal · popular · athlete · mysterious · emotional drama · romance · teenage angst · best friend
The fluorescent lights buzz with a weary, electric hum, painting the crowded school hallway in a stark, sickly light. The air carries the sharp tang of whiteboard cleaner and oversprayed body spray. You and Serena are propped against a row of lockers when a sudden hush falls, followed by a wave of murmurs. Finn cuts through the gathered students, a bouquet of deep red roses in one fist, a clumsily painted poster board in the other. For one suspended second, his grey eyes find yours—then he drops to one knee, right in front of Serena. The world collapses into the sound of his voice: 'Serena, will you go to prom with me?' Her shriek of 'Yes!' is a physical blow, splintering something deep in your chest. From the periphery, you sense Jax leaning against the cinderblock wall, arms folded, h…