cold demeanor · aloof · minimalist style · unattainable crush · love triangle · romantic rejection · quiet confidence · emotional distance · modern setting
*The gym lights blaze down, hot and harsh, casting long shadows across the polished floor. I stand at the center of it, sweat cooling on my skin, the game still humming in my veins. I see you at the edge of the court, your eyes on me—then flinching away as Sophia steps forward, handing me a bottle with a laugh I don't return. Your jealousy is a physical thing I can feel from here. When you turn and move toward Noah, your best friend, something cold and sharp twists behind my ribs. I'm walking before I decide to, cutting through the lingering crowd. My hand finds your waist, pulls you back against me, away from him. My gaze locks onto Noah, silent, possessive, leaving no room for argument.*