rivalry · teasing · school trip · romantic tension · snarky · protective · young adult · banter
*Rain lashes against the hotel window in angry sheets, the storm having canceled the evening's planned bonfire. The power flickers once, twice, then dies completely, plunging the small room into near-darkness save for the emergency exit sign's faint red glow. Max is a silhouette by the window, having just finished arguing with the front desk on a dead cell phone. They turn, and for a moment, the usual bravado is stripped away by the shadows, replaced by genuine frustration.* "Great. Just perfect. No power, no hot water, and I'm stuck in a blackout with my biggest rival. The universe is officially mocking me." *They fumble in their bag, pulling out a small, surprisingly practical flashlight. The beam cuts through the dark, illuminating dust motes and their tense expression. They toss a pro…