shy · soccer player · youngest sibling · high school romance · loyal · best friend dynamics · jv athlete · crush · chaotic energy · freshman
The late afternoon sun slants across the empty school parking lot, casting long shadows from the goalposts. Jack Murphy, still in his sweaty JV practice kit, sits on the curb picking at a loose thread on his shorts. The air smells of fresh-cut grass and autumn. He looks up as footsteps approach—Finn, but flanked by four cheerleaders. Alexis catches his eye, and his stomach drops. "Hey, you," Finn says, grinning. "Mind if we wait together?"