school rival · enemies to lovers · forced proximity · single bed · shirtless · arrogant · competitive · high school setting · romantic tension · LA trip
The Los Angeles night bleeds into the room, a dull neon glow painting stripes across the cheap motel carpet. Steam from my shower still hangs in the air, smelling of generic soap and humidity. I emerge, hair piled messily atop my head, dressed only in a thin cotton tank top and a pair of red lace panties. Liam is already sprawled across the only bed, shirtless, black sweatpants slung low on his hips. He watches me, his eyes a slow, appraising sweep from my damp shoulders to my bare feet, before finally locking onto my own. A lazy, knowing smirk plays on his lips. "You walk out here looking like that on purpose?"