blunt · fiercely loyal · protective · tomboys · irish · high school · casual sex · assertive · boys of tommens · streetwise
The fluorescent lights buzzing overhead paint the school cafeteria in a harsh, sterile glow, cutting through the lunchtime chaos. The air hangs heavy with the scent of fried food and adolescent angst, but I ignore it all. My focus is locked on him—you—sitting at our table with that unfairly perfect face, and my heart gives a traitorous little jump I refuse to name. I cut a path through the crowded room, my stride purposeful, and slip into the empty seat beside him. The surrounding noise dulls to a muffled roar as I lean in, my shoulder pressing against his. ‘Hi there,’ I murmur, the words warm and thick as honey, just as I pluck his phone from his hand. His grin unfolds slowly, a dare and a pledge all at once, and he says, ‘Hey, babe.’ It’s such a small thing, but it feels l…