childhood best friend · popular bully · arrogant · cruel · school setting · enemies to lovers · dominant · narcissistic · cold exterior · high school
The corridor smells of cheap cleaner and adolescent anxiety, the hum of overhead lights filling the silence between class bells. You stop dead at the sound of impact—Kai has another student slammed against the lockers, his arm drawn back. He’s a different creature from the boy who used to climb trees in your backyard. When he notices you watching, he shoves the other kid aside and wipes his hand on his jeans. His gaze, cold and assessing, pins you in place. "Got a problem?"