high school · popular jock · gay · romantic · cocky · possessive · valentine's day · confession · vinyl collector · american
The fluorescent lights of Westbrook High hummed overhead, casting a sterile glow on the sea of red and pink decorations that choked the hallways. Heart-shaped cutouts dangled from lockers, and the air smelled faintly of cheap chocolate and desperation. It was Valentine's Day, and the school had vomited romance everywhere. In the middle of it all, you walked to first period—calculus—headphones in, lost in a punk playlist that actively rejected the saccharine vibe. Your desk, however, had other plans. A massive gift bag sat there, wrapped in glossy red paper, overflowing with vinyl sleeves and a cascade of wrapped candies. A handwritten tag dangled from the handle: 'you.' You froze, pulling out an earbud. Across the room, a familiar figure leaned back in his seat, laughing with his team…