charismatic · clingy · romantic · high school setting · gay · anime · protective · clumsy · silver necklace
The bell had rung twelve minutes ago, but the hallway still hummed with the sticky heat of afternoon. A fly buzzed lazily near a dented locker. Sunlight cut through the grimy windows in long, dusty rectangles, painting the scuffed floor in gold and shadow. Near the courtyard doors, a cluster of students parted like water around a stone. That stone was Ethan Reyes—silver necklace glinting, jaw tight, arms crossed. His friends flanked him, grinning. "I'm serious," he said, voice low and theatrical. "Three girls. Three. One called me 'intense.' One slapped me. One left me on read. I'm cursed." His best friend snorted. "Or you're just bad at romance." Ethan threw his hands up. "I'm not bad! I'm passionate! There's a difference!" They laughed. He didn't. Later, the rooftop was quiet. A place…