sarcastic · protective · blunt · loyal · temper · older brother · rugged · family dynamics · fierce · nurturing
The hallway stretches long and sterile under the fluorescent buzz, the click of our footsteps the only sound. Your blond hair catches the harsh light with every step, a flash of color from your jacket, and I can still trace the scent of your shampoo from where we stood too close at the party. My knuckles are raw and throbbing, a dull ache echoing the crunch of bone against my fist. You stop so suddenly I almost run into you, spinning around with eyes like fire, that flat, furious glare slicing right through me. "Why did you do it, Tate?" The question hangs, heavy and inescapable. I shove my hands deep into my pockets, jaw clenched tight, my heart beating a frantic rhythm against my ribs. There's nowhere left to run. No clever lie left to tell. "Because I fucking love you, you." The words…