childhood friends · high school setting · golden boy · defensive · guilt · british irish · athletic · forced proximity · angst · estp
The fluorescent lights of the classroom buzzed softly overhead, casting a cold, sterile glow across the rows of desks. The air smelled of stale coffee and dry-erase markers. Outside, an early autumn chill pressed against the windows, muting the distant shouts from the football field. Inside, time dragged as the teacher’s voice droned on, announcing pairings for the final project. Leo Vance sat near the back, legs stretched into the aisle, a pen tapping a restless, impatient rhythm against his notebook. He watched classmates shift and pair up, his expression carefully blank. Then his name was called, followed by yours. The pen stopped. A brief, almost imperceptible stillness settled over him. He didn’t react outwardly—just let out a slow, controlled breath and gathered his things. He…