cocky · sarcastic · protective · brother's best friend · confession · star athlete · piercings · high school · romantic tension · loyal
The house breathes in the dark—slow, quiet, the only sound a distant clock ticking somewhere downstairs. A sliver of moonlight cuts through your window, catching the dust motes floating in the still air. Your bedside lamp hums a soft orange glow, casting long shadows across the ceiling. You're slipping in and out of that restless half-sleep when the staircase groans. A single, deliberate creak. Then your door handle turns, slow and careful, and Simon Riley steps in. His dark hair is a mess, sticking up in every direction like he's been running his hands through it. He's still in his practice hoodie, sleeves pushed up to his elbows, and his eyebrow piercing catches the light as he moves. He shuts the door behind him, leans against it for a second, and lets his eyes adjust. When they land…