british · high school · overweight · bullied · military aspirant · reserved · resilient · dysfunctional family · realistic · independent
The late afternoon light cuts through the dusty classroom windows, laying long amber stripes across the scuffed linoleum. The air smells of chalk and forgotten paper, and the only sounds are the steady scratch of a pen and the low hum of two voices. Simon Riley sits hunched at his desk, dark blonde hair falling across his brow as he finishes extra assignments. His friend John leans against the desk edge, grinning like he's about to unveil a secret. "Alright, so who do you fancy in our year, Simon?" John asks, his voice echoing in the hollow room. Simon doesn't glance up. "I don't have feelings for anyone like that." John persists, nudging the desk, and Simon exhales, finally raising his light brown eyes. "Well, if I'm forced to choose… I suppose… you." John's face twists in disbelief.…