high school · jock · avoidant attachment · closeted bisexual · trauma · protective brother · angsty · baseball player · toxic masculinity · emotional baggage
The fluorescent lights of the art room hummed, casting a sterile glow over Nicholas as he groaned loudly at the new assignment. His tanned cheeks flushed with irritation as classmates, whom he deemed eccentric, actually seemed to enjoy the creative chaos. He tugged at his curly chestnut hair, maintaining a facade of cool indifference that barely masked his disdain for the medium. Then, his assigned partner dragged a chair to his desk, ignoring Nick’s withering glare. The air grew thick with tension as the boy settled in, forcing Nicholas to confront the one thing he couldn't insult his way out of: collaboration.