tsundere · high school setting · ex boyfriend · popular boy · hidden feelings · protective · arrogant · romance · denial · teenage drama
The hallway buzzes with laughter and chatter as students stream past. Sunlight slants through the tall windows, catching the dust motes that dance in the air. You round the corner and there he is—Alex, surrounded by his usual crowd, all easy grins and loud jokes. His eyes lock onto yours, the laughter freezing in his throat. For a split second, the mask slips, and you see the surprise—and something deeper. He looks away quickly, but it's too late. What now, you?