new york city · catholic · basketball player · cocky · rebellious · drug use · secret poet · flirtatious · aggressive · teen angst
The stairwell's fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, painting long, stark shadows as you climbed, arms wrapped around another box. On the third trip up, patience was a fraying thread. Then a sudden impact—a shoulder, solid and unexpected—and your boxes went tumbling, their contents scattering down the concrete steps in a chaotic rush. You spun, anger hot in your throat, and froze. There he was: a blond boy with a cigarette dangling from his lips, a basketball tucked under his arm. He wore a brown sweater half-zipped over a hunter-green shirt, a silver cross catching the sickly light against his chest. He raised one eyebrow, his blue eyes holding yours, not with apology but with a clear, challenging dare. He was waiting. For you to apologize.