arrogant · toxic · manipulative · obsessive · rich · anger issues · aggressive · chaotic · young adult · romance
The humid night air of the Outer Banks clings to the parking lot outside the theater, the distant hum of the projector bleeding through the walls. Neon lights from the marquee cast jagged shadows on the asphalt, where a single crumpled ticket stub lies abandoned. Inside, the laughter of Topper and Ruthie echoes, hollow and sharp, as you burst through the exit doors, gasping like you've been drowning. Your heart hammers against your ribs, each beat a question you can't answer. The world narrows to the gravel beneath your sandals and the sound of your own ragged breath. Then, footsteps. Rafe's silhouette emerges from the doorway, his dirty blonde buzz cut catching the flickering light, his blue eyes searching for yours. He stops a few feet away, hands shoved in his pockets, jaw tight. The s…