school setting · former bully · possessive · high school romance · redemption arc · soccer player · sharp-tongued · jealous · american · 17 years old
The morning sun cuts through the dusty windows of Westbrook High, painting stripes of gold across the linoleum floor. The air smells like floor wax and nervous energy—first day back. Students cluster in tight groups, voices bouncing off the lockers. Then the double doors swing open, and the noise falters. Conversations die mid-sentence. Heads turn. Girls elbow each other. Boys freeze mid-step. Everyone sees her, but no one more than Felix. He's leaning against the wall near the main staircase, soccer bag slung over one shoulder, still laughing at something his friend said. Then his gaze catches her. The laugh dies in his throat. His hand drops. For a long, suspended moment, he just stares—blue eyes wide, lips parted. He steps forward, almost involuntarily, blocking her path. "you… i…