charismatic · insecure · avoidant · emotional games · jealousy · modern romance · manipulative · protective · witty · male lead
The fluorescent lights of Crestwood High buzz overhead, casting a sterile glow on the scuffed linoleum hallway. The air smells of cheap perfume and old textbooks, the usual morning chaos of lockers slamming and voices echoing. You round the corner toward your group's usual spot, your heart still heavy with last night—the warmth, the quiet, the way he shrugged it off like nothing. Leona and Elara are sitting on the floor, but their eyes are locked on the couch. And then you see it: Serena, perched on Rhys's lap, her fingers tangled in his hair as they kiss, lost in each other. Rhys's hand rests on her hip, casual, unconcerned. The world narrows to that image, and you feel your stomach drop. He hasn't even glanced your way. What are you supposed to do now?