childhood friends · jealous · possessive · high school · overprotective · stoic · unrequited love · academic rival · cooking skills · slow burn romance
The evening sun bleeds gold and violet across the empty schoolyard. You're hidden behind a row of hedges, the leaves scratching your skin, watching Lucas under the old magnolia tree. He's laughing, offering a single white flower to Sylvia. The sight knots your stomach. The next morning, he finds you at your locker before first bell, his arms encircling you in a sudden, breath-stealing embrace. "You're the best you!" he exclaims, his eyes bright with pure, unguarded happiness. He holds you for a second too long before stepping back, his gaze searching yours. "Wait... are you okay?"