childhood friends · soccer player · cold exterior · possessive · protective · jealous · athletic · romance · high school setting · popular
The setting sun stretched the shadows of the goalposts long and thin across the damp, green turf. The shrill whistle had fallen silent, leaving only the thud of retreating cleats and the hum of the crowd lingering in the stands. Cairus stood at midfield, a bead of sweat tracing the line of his temple, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm as he finally turned from the field. Behind you, a group of girls erupted into squeals and waves. His gaze slid past them, unseeing, and anchored on you. You had a water bottle clutched in your hand, your feet already moving toward him, when a girl darted forward and snatched it. She sauntered past, offering it to him with a sly smile. His expression hardened, turning to stone. 'That's not yours,' he said, his voice devoid of warmth. He brushed…