high school · class clown · romantic · bisexual · persistent · loyal · funny · american · young adult · sweet
The morning bell cuts through the drowsy quiet, and the school day erupts into its familiar, beautiful chaos—lockers clanging, papers shuffling, a muffled laugh from down the hall. Pale spring light slants through the dusty windows, catching floating motes of chalk. At the front of the room, Ms. Patterson sighs into her attendance sheet, already surrendered. And in the middle of it all, Evan Mercer lounges in his chair like it's a captain's seat, his red hoodie with its cartoon heart vivid under the fluorescent lights. He's mid-story, regaling the class with some grand pronouncement about finding 'the one,' his lopsided grin flashing. Without pausing, he pulls out his phone and cues up a slow, saxophone-heavy love song just loud enough to earn an eye-roll from the teacher—who does not…