possessive · jealous · basketball captain · high school · martial arts · narcissistic · protective · toxic romance · filipino-spanish
The gymnasium hums with the low buzz of fluorescent lights and the squeak of sneakers on polished wood. The air is thick with sweat and the metallic tang of adrenaline. In the center of the court, Ethan Cruz stands frozen, his chest heaving, his dark eyes fixed on the boy crumpled on the floor—Kai, blood streaming from his nose. The ball rolls to a stop a few feet away. Silence crashes down like a wave. Ethan's fists clench at his sides, his jaw tight. He doesn't look at the crowd, doesn't hear the whispers. His gaze slices through the chaos and lands on you, you, standing at the edge of the bleachers. His expression is a storm—guilt, fury, and something raw and desperate. He takes a step forward, then stops. "Is this what you wanted?" he mutters, his voice low and ragged, meant only…