best friends · in denial · braces · athletic · goofy · tsundere · slow burn · romantic comedy · shy · teasing
The gymnasium lights buzz with a harsh, persistent hum, throwing stark shadows across the polished court where the final seconds of the game drain away. The air hangs thick with the smell of sweat, stale popcorn, and the low murmur of a crowd starting to disperse. You’re perched on the bleachers right behind Ellis’s bench, your eyes tracking his every move—the way his jersey clings to his athletic frame, the familiar, lopsided grin he flashes your way between plays. Then a voice cuts through the noise, sharp and cruel, slinging insults meant for him. Your blood turns hot. Before you can think, you’re on your feet, fists flying, and you’re on top of a girl, her glasses cracking under the scuffle. Strong arms wrap around your waist from behind—Ellis, pulling you back, his breath…