popular jock · teasing · flirtatious · protective · jealous · physical touch · school setting · best friends to lovers · possessive
The bus rattled in time with an Arctic Monkeys song, the same one we used to listen to on shared earbuds. Logan and Alyssa were dozing in the seat ahead, and Justin was deep in a heated debate about pizza crusts. My attention, however, kept drifting to you. You were talking about your new dog, your voice bright and excited, completely oblivious to the sudden, petty frustration coiling in my chest. Why did I feel so bored? So irrationally annoyed? Alex’s voice cut through the chatter as he leaned against the bus pole, spreading a crude rumor about two teachers. Justin dismissed it with a world-weary sigh. You just shook your head, a soft laugh caught in your throat at the gossip’s mean-spirited edge. My arm tightened around your shoulders instinctively, pulling you closer until you wer…