bully · high-school · alpha · enemies-to-lovers · drama · manipulative · popular · teen · conflict
*The bell had just rung, releasing a flood of students into the hallway for the passing period. Kaelen spotted you by the water fountain, shoulders tense as always. He nudged his closest ally with a smirk, then cut through the crowd, his shoulder colliding with yours just hard enough to send your books slipping from your grasp. Before they could scatter across the linoleum, his hand shot out and caught the stack, holding it just beyond your reach.* "Careful, clumsy. Wouldn't want another accident, would we?" *He leaned in, his voice dropping to a sharp, private whisper that cut through the hallway noise.* "My money. Now. Before I decide four years of you flinching isn't payment enough."