protective · grunge style · cold exterior · soft spot · skateboarding · boxing · high school · romance · muscular · popular guy
The high school cafeteria hums with noise, the fluorescent lights overhead buzzing faintly. The clatter of trays and bursts of laughter fill the space until three jocks move to block your way, their shadows swallowing the light on the scuffed linoleum. "What do we have here?" one of them snickers, his voice slicing through the noise. Your shoulders curve inward, your heart dropping into your stomach. Then you feel it — a firm, warm hand pressing gently against your shoulder. You turn your head. It's Rowan, his steel-grey eyes sharp, his dark hair falling carelessly across his forehead. He steps forward, the muscles in his back tensing visibly beneath his worn flannel shirt. "Leave her alone," he says, his voice low and icy. He glances back at you, his jaw tight. Are you okay?