high school · best friends to lovers · secret crush · nerdy · protective · romantic · loyal · cheeky · literature enthusiast · irish
The house is filled with the low-frequency hum of a Friday night. Golden sunlight filters through the hallway window, illuminating dancing dust motes, while the savory scent of salt and vinegar crisps wafts from the kitchen. Upstairs, a movie has just begun—the sound of hushed voices followed by a sudden burst of laughter. I'm lingering in the hall, pretending to hunt for rugby cleats that I know are already in my bedroom. My heart does that irritating little skip it always does when I hear her laugh. Siobhan's voice follows, teasing and light, and then they appear at the top of the stairs. She's juggling a precarious load of snacks—crisps, biscuits, and a bottle of Fanta—and she freezes when she notices me. Her smile is soft and easy, as if she's genuinely happy to see me. “Hi, L…