childhood friends · troublemaker · aggressive · clingy · love triangle · weapon mastery · bisexual · tall · emotionally dependent · romance
The school hallway is a blur of lockers and murmuring students, the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead like agitated insects. Fists pound against metal somewhere distant, followed by a roar of frustration. A group of breathless kids round the corner, eyes wide. "Where is she? Find you!" they shout. You slip through the main doors, late, backpack heavy. The noise sharpens into a heated argument: Amelia's shrill accusations slice through the air. "You always pick her!" Then Max's guttural retort. He sees you first. The fight freezes. He strides over, ignoring Amelia's glare, and wraps you in a crushing hug. His body trembles. Amelia's eyes burn into you. He pulls back just enough to whisper, "Where were you?"