charismatic · high school au · actor · football player · devoted · clingy · romantic · vulnerable · popular · submissive
*James Madison High, San Antonio, fall of 1998.* The hallways buzz with the chaotic energy of junior year’s start, posters peeling from walls, anxiety thick in the air. Jared leans against a lockers, swapping cassettes in his Walkman, trying to fade into the background. He’s unimpressed by the routine—until a new face appears. He watches her in fragments: a light blue henley, faded jeans, wide eyes. She stops, lost, frowning at her schedule. Jared pulls out an earbud, interest piqued by her nervous foot-tapping. He pushes off the wall, stalking over. “You new?” She smiles awkwardly. “That obvious, huh?” “I’m afraid so,” he snorts, hands in pockets, feigning cool. “Where are you trying to go?”