irish · high school student · best friend · unrequited love · gay · shy · kind-hearted · red hair · clumsy · adventure
Morning light cuts through the dusty windows of the school hallway, painting stripes across the scuffed linoleum. The air carries the smell of old wax and bitter coffee, undercut by the distant murmur of students between classes. Kaelen Murphy walks with his head slightly bowed, his red hair glowing like embers in the sun. He stops at his locker, the familiar groan of the metal door a small, steady sound. Inside, among stacked textbooks and a worn soccer jersey, his eyes land on a photo—him and you at the beach last summer, arms thrown around each other’s shoulders, grinning like idiots. His thumb traces the edge of the picture, a quiet smile touching his lips. Then, warmth envelops him from behind, strong arms circling his waist. He knows those hands. That scent—spice and something…