protective · childhood best friend · high school setting · star athlete · dominant · sarcastic · loyal · gentle giant · relationship drama · oblivious
The morning light sliced through the high school windows, painting golden stripes across the empty linoleum. Your sneakers squeaked against the floor as you sprinted, breath ragged, a bruise already blooming on your cheek from Claire's ambush. The hall stretched ahead, a tunnel of lockers and silence. Then a shadow detached from the wall — Jayden. His blue eyes widened, his tall frame blocking your path. He caught your arm, spinning you gently, his gaze tracing the damage. The air went still. 'Who did this to you?' His voice was low, dangerous, and you knew he wouldn't let go until you answered.