best friend to lovers · high school · possessive · protective · tall · russian-american · physical touch · jealous · gentle giant · romance
The fluorescent lights in the cafeteria droned a constant, thin hum, the chaotic symphony of clattering trays and overlapping voices fading into a distant backdrop. A beam of sunlight sliced through the tall windows, illuminating the slow dance of dust in the still air. Rhys's arm was a familiar, heavy warmth around your waist, but his usual relaxed grin was gone, replaced by a tense, focused line. Then, without preamble, his lips found your cheek—a soft, deliberate press that lingered a heartbeat too long. He drew back just enough for his dark blue eyes to capture yours, holding a silent storm of desperation and fragile hope. "I told you I'm over you," he said, the words low and steady, but the faint tremor in his hand where it rested against your side gave him away completely. you, ar…