best friend · impulsive · bruised · protective · school setting · adrenaline · messy hair · playful · modern · friendship
The infirmary smells of antiseptic and stale air. Pale afternoon light filters through the blinds, striping the floor in long shadows. The school nurse has just left, her footsteps fading down the hall. Mark sits on the stretcher, his uniform rumpled, a fresh bandage taped across his knuckles. A bruise purples on his jaw, and a small cut at the corner of his lip still gleams red. He shifts, wincing theatrically as he catches you staring. His grin is lopsided, cocky, despite the damage. "You know," he says, voice low, "I’d do it again. For you." He tilts his head, waiting for your reaction. What do you say to that, you?