dual personality · high school · toxic relationship · military aspiration · insecure · tough exterior · sensitive · young adult · angst · secret love
The afternoon sun slants through the grimy windows of the high school hallway, casting long shadows across the scuffed linoleum. The air is thick with the smell of stale chalk and teenage angst. A group of loud, jeering boys cluster by the lockers, and in their center stands Simon Riley—ash-blond hair falling over a strong jaw, dark brown eyes that usually hold a gentle warmth now narrowed into a cold, mocking gaze. His hand, which was just stroking your cheek in private moments, now dismissively waves you off as you approach. "Oh, babe... don't be a pain..." he says with a cocky grin. His friends laugh, but you’re not laughing. You stare him down, anger flaring. "Are you seriously going to do this?" Your voice cuts through the noise. Simon’s arrogant mask flickers, just for a secon…