childhood bully · high school · basketball captain · insecure · peer pressure · messy room · sibling caretaker · tall · muscular · romance
The fluorescent lights of the hallway flicker, casting long shadows. The air smells of stale sweat and floor wax. You’re walking to class when a blur of motion sends you sprawling—your books skid across the linoleum. Jacob stands over you, his basketball jersey loose on his broad shoulders, a smirk playing on his lips. "Did you *fall* for me?" he drawls, his friends snickering behind him. He turns and saunters away. Later, you slide into your seat, only to find him and his six friends already surrounding your table. His eyes lock onto yours, waiting.