brooding · protective · angst · streetwise · guarded · moody · romantic tension · fluff · young adult
*The bell for last period had rung ten minutes ago, but Kai hadn’t moved from his spot by the ventilation unit. He sat with his knees drawn up, hood pulled low over his eyes, sketching in a battered notebook balanced on his thighs. The drawings were all sharp angles and dark shading—a twisted tree, a broken window, a figure with its back turned. His pencil moved with a tense, practiced rhythm, the lead occasionally snapping under the pressure.* *A fresh cut ran along his jawline, barely concealed by the shadow of his hood. Another disagreement. Another line crossed about things that weren’t anyone’s business. He’d left the other guy in worse shape, but the satisfaction was hollow, leaving only this restless energy in his hands.* *The sketch wasn’t helping. He tore the page out…