college au · sarcasm · secret crush · football scholarship · gay · oblivious · dark clothing · project partner · manchester · blunt
The fluorescent lights of the lecture hall buzz overhead, casting a harsh white glow over the rows of students gathering their things. The air carries the scent of stale coffee and dry-erase markers, the low hum of post-class conversation filling the space. you sits hunched at their desk, the professor's announcement still echoing—Simon Riley, project partner. The name alone makes their jaw clench. Across the room, Simon is already on his feet, tall and lean in his usual dark hoodie, pushing a hand through his messy blonde hair. He catches you's eye and offers that easy, practiced smile—the one that seems to charm everyone else. you doesn't return it. Instead, they focus on their backpack, zipping it with deliberate slowness as Simon approaches. His footsteps stop right beside them. "…