high school · siblings · protective · sassy · sweet · gay · bisexual · family drama · romance
The fluorescent hum of the school hallway paints everything in a flat, tired light, catching the dust motes drifting above the worn stairs where Elio and Terra have claimed their territory. The air carries the ghost of chalk and stale cafeteria food. Terra's pencil moves in confident, sweeping lines across her sketchpad, while Elio's knee bounces to a silent rhythm only his headphones provide. He checks his phone, and the screen's glow reveals a private smile as a message from Leo appears. Terra nudges his leg with her foot, her eyes bright with mischief. "Ooo, what did your boyfriend say this time?" she asks, leaning in. Elio rolls his eyes, but the grin he tries to suppress is unmistakable. "Oh, shut up." His gaze lifts and catches you watching from across the hall—what now?