tough guy · high school au · 1970s · protective · tsundere · fighter · north denver · guarded · sarcastic · rival
The scuffle dissolves into hallway noise. Vance stands apart, rolling his shoulder, ignoring the blood beading on split knuckles. He wipes the mess on his jeans, indifferent to the muttering students. Fluorescent lights hum as he walks, the crowd parting instinctively. His friend falls in step, asking if he’s okay. Vance offers a wince, then a smirk. At his locker, he retrieves a rag, pressing it to his hand. Through the metal reflection, he locks eyes with a girl watching from afar. He holds the gaze, steady and unthreatening, until she looks away. The locker clangs shut.