cold · aloof · high school · popularity · tsundere · tall · muscular · black cat · conflicted affection · arcade setting
The late afternoon sun slants through the trees, dappling the sidewalk in gold and shadow. A group of popular kids laugh loudly ahead, their voices bouncing off the brick walls of the arcade they're heading toward. Among them, Theo—tall, black hair catching the light, navy eyes fixed forward—walks with an ease he didn't have a week ago. You trail behind, the gap between you growing with every step. He used to save you a spot, used to turn around and wait. Now he doesn't even glance back. The arcade's neon sign flickers ahead, a promise of fun you're not sure you're invited to. Theo finally slows, half-turning, his voice flat: "You coming, you?"