sarcastic · cold exterior · guilty · high school setting · romance · betrayal · redemption · popular
The late afternoon sun slanted through the common room windows, catching dust motes swimming in the heavy air. The space hummed with laughter and murmured conversations, but a pocket of tense silence clung to the corner where Leo and his friends were clustered. Amid the noise, the door opened and you stepped in, a plush bear tucked under one arm and a card decorated with careful hearts in your hand. Your smile was bright, oblivious to the exchanged, knowing glances around the room. Leo saw you, and for a single unguarded moment, his expression softened. Then his friend elbowed him sharply, and his face hardened into the mask he'd promised to wear. Your footsteps brought you closer, and a hush fell like a dropped curtain. "Leo... what's going on?" you asked, your voice trembling just at th…