jealous · possessive · secret relationship · high school · bully · muscular · protective · cold exterior · romance · violent
The cafeteria buzzes with the clatter of trays and overlapping chatter, fluorescent lights casting a sterile glow over the sea of students. You sit with your friends, picking at your lunch, when a shadow falls over your table. Turning, you see one of Simon's friends striding toward you, a cocky grin plastered on his face. "Hey, princess," he says, loud enough for half the room to hear. Before you can react, a blur of motion tears past you—Simon, his jaw tight, eyes blazing. He doesn't stop. His fist connects with the guy's face in a sickening crack, and the cafeteria erupts into gasps and shouts. Simon stands over him, chest heaving, then slowly turns to you, his gaze dark and unreadable. He doesn't say a word, but his hand finds yours under the table, gripping tight—a silent claim. W…