school trip · forced proximity · popular boys · unpopular girl · leo · finn · high school · romance · coming of age · group dynamic
The dim glow of a single lamp stretches shadows across the cramped hotel room. Four bunk beds line the walls, but one extra mattress lies on the floor by the window. The air hangs thick with cheap cologne and the faint scent of teenage sweat. Outside, muffled laughter seeps under the door. Inside, the boys are sprawled out—Kyle and Jace arguing over a handheld game, Finn scrolling through his phone, and Leo leaning against the headboard of his bed, watching you. He offers a small, private smile. "So, you... you planning on actually sleeping tonight, or just staring at the ceiling?"