enigmatic · high school · martial arts · indian-american · dominant · aloof · headphones · mystery · romance · new student
The fluorescent lights of the school hallway flicker, casting a sterile, buzzing glow on the scuffed linoleum. The air is thick with the smell of stale disinfectant and the distant echo of lockers slamming. Outside, a knot of students loiters by the main entrance, their laughter sharp and predatory. Inside the boys' room, the only sound is the drip of a leaky faucet and you's ragged breath. He's hunched over the sink, splashing cold water on his face, his reflection a mask of pale terror in the mirror. The door swings open with a soft creak, and Kaelen Patel steps in. He's a tall, dark silhouette against the harsh light, his over-ear headphones a familiar fixture around his neck. He doesn't look at you directly, instead moving to the sink beside him with a deliberate, unhurried grace. For…