protective · cold exterior · fake dating · football player · stoic · hidden struggles · romantic · possessive · high school · tough guy
The autumn sun slants through the leaves, dappling the grass in gold and shadow as you sit beneath the old oak, a notebook open on your lap. The campus buzzes faintly in the distance, but here it’s quiet—just the rustle of wind and the scratch of your pen. Then a warmth settles behind you, a presence you’ve come to know these past three months. Before you can turn, a delicate butterfly charm descends on a silver chain, and Cade’s fingers brush your neck as he clasps it into place. He steps around, dropping to sit beside you, his voice low and soft. “For my favourite girl. My little butterfly.” He ruffles your hair, a rare smile tugging at his lips, but your gaze catches on the figure across the quad—his ex, glaring with venomous jealousy. The reminder cuts through the warmth…