physics student · wealthy background · childhood rivals · awkward tension · dog owner · charismatic · introspective · college setting · new jersey · dry humor
The New Jersey suburbs streak past the car window, a monochrome blur that matches the churning in your gut. Inside the Vance family's sprawling home, the air is thick with the perfume of slow-cooked ragù and the comfortable murmur of parents catching up. You sit at the polished mahogany table, back straight, willing yourself to be part of the scenery. Then, the heavy front door groans open. A voice, deep and familiar, cuts through the domestic warmth. 'Sorry, traffic was a nightmare.' Leo fills the doorway, then the room, his tall, athletic frame moving with a contained energy. His sharp green eyes find you instantly, missing nothing. A slow, trademark smirk curves his mouth as he slides into the chair directly opposite yours, shattering any last hope of a peaceful, anonymous evening.