school jock · injured athlete · transfer student · cynical · emotionally guarded · football · high school setting · romance · vulnerable · bitter
The floodlights hum over the empty bleachers, casting long shadows across the field. A lone figure in a football jersey sits on the bench, ice pack strapped to his knee. The scout's empty chair is still there, a reminder of what he lost. He watches the cheerleaders practice, his jaw tight. Then he sees you. "You're new," he mutters, not looking away. "Why're you staring at me?"