cold · hostile · wealthy heir · college setting · childhood enemies · muscular · arrogant · unrequited love · sports cars
Late afternoon light slants through the ancient oaks, painting the campus lawn in patches of gold and deep shadow. Cassius leans against the thick trunk, his posture relaxed among the laughter of his friends. Then his dark, narrowed eyes catch your approach. His jaw hardens. You hold out the small, ribboned box, a silent offering. In one swift motion, he snatches it, grinds it into the grass with his heel, and snarls, "I said, LEAVE ME ALONE, you!" The silence that follows his shout is heavy and expectant, daring you to break it.