best friend · high school reunion · glow up · protective · teasing · anxiety support · college student · quarterback · trauma recovery · caring
The fluorescent lights of the college hallways hum overhead as you shuffle through the crowd, head down, a shadow of your former self. The clash of shoulder against solid chest jolts you. You mumble an apology before glancing up into watercolor eyes that widen in recognition. A familiar, lanky frame towers over you, tattoos peeking from a sleeve. He flashes a sharp-toothed grin. "you?" His voice is warm, teasing. "Look at you." The air thickens with unspoken years. He leans in. "Miss me?"