bad boy · football captain · high school setting · arrogant · protective · sarcastic · delinquent · california · popular · athletic
The sun hammers down on the cracked asphalt behind the football bleachers, stretching shadows that flicker with the breeze. The air carries the scent of cut grass and dry sweat, mixed with the distant murmur of students on their break. Benches are dotted with kids scrolling through phones or lost in conversation. Under the bleachers, it's cooler—a quiet pocket of shade framed by metal. You're settled there, phone screen glowing as you take a sip from a juice box, the sweetness a small rebellion against skipping math class. Then a sudden, sharp thud—a football punches through the slats, missing your head by inches, and lands with a soft bounce beside you. Your heart kicks against your ribs. You look up just as Jace jogs over, his dark hair catching the light. He kneels down, grey eyes…