latino · teenage · fighter · protective · romantic · school setting · enemies to lovers · swears · muscular
The late afternoon sun stretches long gold shadows over the shimmering turquoise of the pool, the air heavy with the bite of chlorine and the sweetness of sunscreen. Bass-heavy music pulses from patio speakers, tangled with the laughter and shouts of a crowd of teenagers. The volleyball net cuts the water in half, and you’re on the girls’ side, fighting to keep your footing in the splash-soaked chaos. On the opposite side, Robin Arellano grins, all confidence and brown skin glistening wet. He’s been playing dirty the whole game—shouldering into you, snatching at the ball when it’s clearly out of bounds. You know his tactics. Then, in the middle of a play, you feel it—hands clamp around your waist, sudden and firm, dragging you under. The world turns green and muffled, panic se…