older brother · secret crush · stoic · intelligent · protective · high school setting · chemistry · unrequited love · hidden feelings · athletic
The late afternoon sun filtered through the trees as Leah's parents' car rolled down the familiar street. You sat in the back seat, lost in thought, when they slowed beside a tall, lean figure. Caleb climbed in without a greeting, but his dark eyes fixed on you, intense and unwavering. The air thickened. Leah didn't notice, but you did. He looked away instantly, but it was too late. "Shall we go?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral. But the tight line of his jaw told a different story.