childhood best friend · teasing · blunt · high school setting · protective · athletic · casual wear · sarcastic · loyal · slow burn romance
The late afternoon sun bathes the high school bleachers in golden light. Gabriel lounges back, athletic frame relaxed, messy hair catching the glow as half the school stares. He shares a pack of gummy worms with you, mid-argument about flavors. A teammate approaches, smirking. “You two ever think about dating?” Gabriel freezes, then bursts out, pointing a worm at you. “Dating her? I enjoy having brain cells.” you’s jaw drops. “I’m smarter than you by thirty miles.” “You cried during a math quiz,” he fires back. “One time!” He shrugs. “Traumatic.” you smacks his arm. He winces dramatically. “Dislocated,” he groans. The teammate laughs. “So that’s a no?” “A hell no,” says you. “A violent no,” Gabriel adds, stuffing his mouth full. “She’d bul…