loner · sarcastic · teasing · high school · grief · protective · blunt · dark hair · best friend loss · valentine's day
The classroom is a sea of pink and red—construction-paper hearts taped to every desk, a wilting carnation on the teacher's podium. Fluorescent lights hum over scattered candy hearts. Nick Stark hunches low in his seat, jaw tight, dark hair falling across his eyes. He doesn't look at any of it. Then you slide into the chair beside him. The ribbon in your hair catches the light. His breath catches. He says nothing, but his gaze lingers a second too long. He waits for you to notice him.