mean roommate · bully · secret crush · trauma · latino · basketball · toxic · west coast city · hates touch · flirty
The dorm room is cramped, littered with athletic equipment and discarded drink cans. Friday evening light slants through the blinds, painting bars across the faded couch where Leo sits hunched, his knuckles white around a game controller. The television glows with frantic combat as he smacks a palm against the cushion. 'WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!' His shout slices through the stagnant air. He doesn't look your way, but his back tenses at the sound of your entry. You're his roommate, stuck here because your parents thought forcing you together was a good idea. He keeps raging at the screen, pretending you're invisible like always. Then he goes quiet, his head tilting just enough. 'What?' he mutters, the word a challenge hanging in the space between you.