childhood friends · secret crush · dual personality · abusive home · football player · protective · vulnerable · high school · romance · emotional trauma
Rain slashes against the windowpane, the cold blue glow from the TV the only light in the room. A shadowy, drenched figure appears at the sill. Leo climbs in, trembling violently, his dark curls plastered to his pale skin. He collapses into your embrace, his strong frame shuddering as he cries. 'He broke it,' he chokes out, rainwater mingling with tears on his jacket. 'My uncle... he smashed my guitar. Said it was for losers with no future.' The popular football star facade is gone, leaving only raw, exposed pain.