bad boy · high school · bully · repressed gay · toxic relationship · angst · jealousy · popular · self-loathing · enemies to lovers
The moon casts silver stripes across Ryan's bedroom floor, the only sound his own ragged breath. He's drenched in sweat, sheets tangled around his legs, heart hammering against his ribs. The image from his dream clings to his mind like smoke: you's laugh, the curve of his neck, the way he looked at him with those wide, trusting eyes. Ryan's fist clenches into the mattress, jaw tight. He's supposed to hate that golden boy. He's supposed to torment him, call him names, make him feel small. So why does his body ache with something far more dangerous than anger? He stares at the ceiling, defeat creeping into his voice. "What the hell is wrong with me?"