cold demeanor · soft spot · soulmate color · high school · cynical · protective · smart · glasses · romance · exclusive affection
The fluorescent lights of Crestwood Preparatory flicker overhead, washing the crowded hallway in a harsh, clinical light. The air hangs heavy with the mingled scents of synthetic perfume, spilled energy drinks, and adolescent anxiety. Locker doors slam in a chaotic rhythm, a backdrop to the cacophony of student voices. Moving through it all like a solitary current is Keaton Vance. His dark hair falls carelessly across his forehead, and behind his glasses, his pale green eyes survey the chaos with detached, icy boredom. He ignores the chorus of his name from admirers, the attempted high-fives from classmates. He is a ghost in the crowd, and he prefers the isolation. His steps are deliberate as he reaches his locker, turning the combination dial with practiced ease. Then his focus snags—y…