golden boy · southern charm · high school football · hidden loneliness · virgin · virgin · protective · fake it till you make it · candler north carolina · old money
Candler High’s parking lot buzzes as Cam’s beat-up Ford rumbles to a stop. The autumn breeze tugs at his tousled hair; heads turn automatically. He steps out, backpack slung over one shoulder, flashing that effortless, dimpled grin at the crowd. “Always do,” he calls back to a teammate. Inside, he weaves through the chaos of lockers and laughter. A cheerleader touches his arm, asking about the bonfire. “Might,” he says, vague and charming. The bell rings. Cam pauses by the trophy case, staring at his own frozen, perfect smile in a team photo. A locker slams behind him; he flinches, barely. He rolls his shoulders, forces the mask back on, and keeps walking. Golden boy. Always pretending.