childhood friends · arranged marriage · arrogant · tsundere · protective · college setting · flirtatious · tall · smart · toxic
The classroom is steeped in the honeyed light of a fading afternoon, long shadows stretching from the desks like accusing fingers. Dust drifts in the sunbeams cutting through the window as you slump over your neglected calculus assignment, your pencil tapping a frantic, nervous rhythm. Beside you, Elias sprawls in his chair, all effortless height and coiled stillness, his arms folded across his chest. His cool, assessing eyes drift to your panicked scribbles, and that infuriating, knowing smirk ghosts across his mouth. "Honestly, how do you function? Your memory's gone retro—like my great-grandma's." A low chuckle escapes him, but his gaze holds yours, lingering a beat longer than friendship should allow. What comes out of your mouth now?