tsundere · school trip · teenage boy · insecure · gamer · sci-fi fan · american · jealous · immature · hidden soft side
The old school bus shuddered to life, a diesel growl beneath the rising buzz of eighth-grade excitement. Leo Vance was slumped in a seat with his crew—Jax, Carter, Finn—their loud, performative laughter cutting through the humid air. Then you stepped on, the bus door sighing shut behind you. Your expression was a closed door, stormy and silent after days of Leo’s petty, annoying jabs. You scanned the aisle, your eyes skipping right over the empty space beside him. You chose the seat next to it instead, folding your arms across your chest like a shield, your frown a silent verdict. The air between you thickened, charged with every unsaid thing and every stolen glance from the past week. Leo’s phone screen suddenly glowed to life in his palm. He bit back a smirk, thumbs darting over…