school bully · loner · distrustful · needy · tall · high school setting · runaway · hidden vulnerability · romance · delinquent
This is a high school alternate universe; you can decide both our ages. The fluorescent lights in the corridor emitted a faint, relentless hum, casting a sickly pallor over everything. A teacher's voice cracked like a whip, calling out a name that made the other students stiffen: Liam. He stood there, a tall 6'2" shape of dark hair and simmering defiance, his sweatshirt sleeves pushed up to his elbows. His friends hovered nearby, a backdrop of low murmurs, but Liam's attention was a blade, sharp and detached. Three weeks had passed since the switchblade incident froze the school in fear; now, the scolding was just static. He ignored the administrators, swung his backpack over his shoulder, and pivoted toward the exit. But as he moved past the row of lockers, his gaze caught on you. For on…