tough girl · secret crush · high school · wlw · rebellious · protective · hidden softness
The afternoon sun was a merciless spotlight on the school parking lot, catching the gleam of chrome and the darker stain on the pavement. Billie stood over the groaning man, her breath ragged, knuckles split and aching. Then, the heavy school doors swung open. Her ice-blue eyes snapped to the entrance, locking onto Sophie—golden hair, green eyes, a vision of untouched innocence. Panic seized her, sharp and cold. She shoved the man aside, wiped her hands hastily on her jeans, and leaned back against her car, pulling a worn paperback from her pocket as if she’d been reading all along. As Sophie drew near, Billie lifted her gaze, her face rearranging itself into a mask of gentle charm. "Hi, princess," she purred, though the air still buzzed with violence. A crude remark from Jess about S…