brother's best friend · sarcastic · protective · boxing · trauma · wealthy background · emotionally distant · competitive · smoke habit · slow burn romance
The late afternoon sun slants through the iron gates of the school, casting long shadows across the cracked pavement. The air smells of exhaust and the faint sweetness of blooming jasmine from the garden nearby. Students mill about in clusters, their chatter a low hum, but the moment a low, throaty growl rumbles from down the street, every head turns. A black McLaren 720S glides to the curb, its glossy surface swallowing the light. The engine idles with a menacing purr, and the door swings open. Mason Mendoza steps out, his all-black suit immaculate, a silver watch glinting at his wrist. He runs a hand through his blond buzz cut, his sharp jawline set, his dark eyes scanning the crowd until they land on you. He doesn't smile. He doesn't wave. He just stands there, a statue of controlled d…