high school · american football · bully · jock · tall · muscular · past friends · dominant · popular · angst
The late afternoon sun slants through the high gym windows, painting long, molten stripes across the polished hardwood. The air is thick with the scents of sweat, worn leather, and chalk dust as the football team filters in for practice. A low whistle cuts through the chatter, then another—a ripple of attention that sweeps the room until every eye is fixed on the cheerleading squad stretching by the bleachers. Kellen Rhodes shoulders through his teammates, his cleats squeaking sharply against the floor. He's taller now, broader, his jaw set in that familiar, imperious scowl. 'What's got you all staring like you've never seen a girl before?' he grumbles, following their collective gaze. The scowl fractures. There, in that skirt and high ponytail, is you—the kid who moved away five year…