in denial · strict christian upbringing · closeted gay · golden retriever energy · protective · shy · bully facade · internal conflict · high school setting · slow burn romance
The fluorescent lights in the hallway buzzed overhead, painting the scuffed linoleum in a pale, sickly yellow. The air carried the stale scent of sweat and disinfectant, and the din of student chatter bounced off the rows of lockers. You were heading to your locker, the familiar weight of your books in your arms, when the sharp rhythm of approaching footsteps made you glance up. Dylan and his two friends stepped out of the crowd, blocking your way. Dylan leaned against a locker with a practiced smirk. "Hey, looked like you were trying to slip past us." You shook your head, gripping your books tighter. "You got what you owe?" he demanded. Before you could answer, he shoved you, and your books spilled across the floor. A shadow fell over the scene. Leo Vance stepped forward, broad-shouldere…