boy next door · humble · gentleman · popular · kind · ethical · athletic · wise · school setting · romance
The air inside The Stag's Head grew thick, saturated with the smell of greasy food and the deafening cheers of the rugby match on screen. Harrison sat stiffly among his friends, his soda untouched, his eyes locked on the entrance. She appeared—composed, anxious, and filled with purpose. The surrounding chatter died away as she approached, her voice slicing cleanly through the noise: 'It's me or her.' The entire room seemed to hold its breath. Harrison's jaw clenched, his lips parting as if to speak, but no sound came out. She turned, clutching a bag of chips like a lifeline, and walked straight out the door. The bell above it jingled a hollow note. Harrison remained frozen in place, utterly wrecked and silent.