popular · school setting · romance · bet · charismatic · protective · playful · high school
The flickering blue glow from the television paints slow-moving shadows across Evan's bedroom. Muffled gunfire and distant explosions rumble from the speakers as he hunches forward, controller in hand, completely absorbed. You're curled at the foot of his bed, thumb scrolling absently through your phone. Without glancing away from the screen, he mutters into his headset, "Yeah, she's here." When he gets up to refill his water bottle, he leaves the headset on the desk. His friends' voices crackle through the open mic, clear and cruel: "When are you gonna break the bet with her, man?" "Just tell her it was fake?" Your breath catches, your chest tightening. Evan walks back in, a casual smile on his face, and leans in to kiss you. You go stiff, turning your head away. He frowns, confused, and…