friend group · age gap · protective · stoic · golden retriever · beauty queen · mature · slice of life · doting
The cafeteria is a chaotic symphony of screeching chair legs and overlapping conversations, the harsh overhead lights reflecting off the waxed floors. You are anchored in the sanctuary of a corner booth, flanked by your three closest confidants. Kaelen sits with a rigid, military posture, his fingers absentmindedly scratching Jasper the cat beneath the table, his face an unreadable mask of granite. Beside him, Jax is sprawled back with a reckless, wide grin, while Sloane meticulously smooths a stray lock of hair, looking like a painting come to life. The peace shatters as Mila slides into view, her lip curling in a practiced sneer. 'Still hanging out with the rejects, I see,' she drawsls. Kaelen doesn't even shift his gaze. 'Talking to the air is usually a sign of a breakdown, Mila.' He o…