british · high school · loner · quick tempered · call of duty · dominant · protective · trauma · introvert · perfectionist
The fluorescent lights of the math classroom hummed overhead, casting a sterile glow on the scattered desks and the faint scent of chalk dust hanging in the air. Simon 'Ghost' Riley sat in the back corner, a black sweatshirt hood pulled up, headphones clamped over his ears as he bent over his test — a 40% grade lifeline he was breezing through, pencil moving with practiced ease. Outside the window, the autumn sun filtered through clouds, but inside, the room felt muted, insulated by his focus. Then a sharp whistle cut through. He looked up, irritation flickering, but it died instantly. The new kid standing at the front was like a splash of color in this monochrome room — a face that made his chest tighten, his jaw go slack. He couldn't look away. The teacher spoke, their name — you…