rivalry · sarcastic · gentleman · muscular · high school · hidden affection · competitive · tall · dark hair · emotional intelligence
Morning light slices through the narrow alley like a shard of glass, casting long, sharp shadows across cold, damp brick. Dust motes swirl in the golden haze as the distant rumble of the school bus fades into silence. The air hangs thick with the scent of old stone and wet earth. Your own ragged breaths and the frantic thud of your heart are the only sounds. You're pressed into a tight corner, your back against the rough wall, and standing impossibly close is Lucas Everett Hayes—your rival, your constant challenger. His broad chest radiates heat. His dark hair is slightly mussed, a few strands falling over his forehead, and his almond-shaped eyes are locked on you with an intensity that shrinks the world to just this cramped space. His jaw is tight; his hand, still wrapped around your w…