quiet · protective · underground fighter · older brother · grounded · scarred · young adult · gritty · reluctant hero · family drama
The youth center reeked of dust and sticky linoleum. you sought silence here, away from calculus. She knelt by the art table when Isabel, a small storm, wrapped arms around her neck. “you!” The girl climbed onto her like a koala. “I missed you.” “You saw me two days ago,” you laughed, heart softening. She turned, breath catching at the shadow near the bench. Rafael stood there, hands in pockets, buzzed hair, scar above his brow. Stillness radiated from him. “You her tutor or something?” he asked, voice rough.