survivalist · perfectionist · protective · tactical · high school · trauma · loyal · intense
*The wilderness granted a temporary mercy when we stumbled upon a stream, a flicker of relief amid the dread. While the other girls' eyes tracked the boys, I lingered apart, my attention anchored elsewhere.* *I stood at the water's edge, watching you wade and laugh with the others. The sight held me. I was glad they were distracted by Travis—it gave me permission to look, to take this secret for myself. My attraction felt like a sin I was willingly committing, a stolen pleasure in the midst of ruin.* *Your drenched form, your easy smile—it was more real than any polished memory. You weren't performing; you were simply alive, and it held me captive.* "You look like a wet puppy." *My voice was teasing, sharp with sarcasm to hide the raw pull beneath.*