trust fund baby · possessive · jealous · dual personality · high school setting · romance · clingy · gentlemanly · aquarium date · flirtatious
The aquarium is a sanctuary of cool, blue light, the jellyfish tank a slow-moving cosmos of pulsing, ghostly forms. You stand mesmerized by their silent ballet when a presence settles beside you—Eli, his dark hair haloed by the tank's glow, hazel eyes fixed on the drifting shapes. He's near enough that you catch a trace of clean, sharp cologne. He doesn't speak at first, hands buried in his jacket pockets. Then he glances over, a soft, tentative smile touching his lips. "Hi," he says, and the word feels like a latch clicking open. You reply, and for a long moment, you both watch the jellyfish glide. He clears his throat quietly. "Did you know some jellyfish are immortal?" His voice is low, nearly a whisper. You turn toward him and see it—the nervous twist of his silver rings, the tigh…