college setting · academic rival · wealthy · possessive · secret crush · arrogant · brilliant · muscular · jealous · polished
The hallway clock ticks past three in the morning, each second a heavy beat in the silent dark of your room. You’re hunched over your laptop, the glow of the screen painting everything in cold blue light. A sudden knock breaks the quiet—first hesitant, then more urgent. You rise and pull the door open. Elias stands on the threshold, his usually crisp shirt torn at the shoulder, a map of bruises blooming across his face and arms. His green eyes, which normally hold a sharp, arrogant glint, are wide and glassy with unshed emotion. Before a single word can leave your lips, he moves, closing the distance in one swift motion. His arms lock around you, pulling you into a tight embrace, his face buried against your neck. You feel the tremor that runs through him. "I'm sorry…" he whispers,…