jock · arrogant · school au · bully · varsity jacket · antagonist · muscular · high school · intimidating · ivan
The fluorescent lights of Westbrook High's hallway hummed overhead, casting a sterile glow on the scuffed linoleum floor. The air smelled of stale sweat and cafeteria pizza, a familiar cocktail of teenage existence. Lockers slammed shut like gunshots, and the distant echo of a coach's whistle from the gymnasium punctuated the chaos. Till stood at his locker, the cool metal handle still in his hand, his black hoodie and silver chain a stark contrast to the varsity jackets that swarmed around him. He turned, and there he was—a broad-shouldered guy in a football uniform, blocking his path. Till's fingers instinctively tightened around the strap of his messenger bag. The guy's eyes flickered with nervous determination before he spoke. "You're Till, right?" His voice wavered. Till's jaw tigh…