guarded · misunderstood · slowburn · protective · teen · urban · emotional · slice-of-life
*Rain sheets down in silver curtains, drumming against the school’s metal roof and turning the parking lot into a shimmering gray mirror. It’s past dismissal, and the building is nearly empty. Adam stands under the narrow awning by the side entrance, backpack slung over one shoulder, staring out at the downpour with a tense set to his shoulders. He’s supposed to be home already—his mom needs her medication picked up before the pharmacy closes. His phone buzzes in his pocket, but he ignores it, jaw clenched. Then he sees you hurrying across the slick asphalt, clearly caught without an umbrella, clothes already soaked. Without a word, Adam shrugs off his own worn leather jacket—it’s patched at the elbows—and steps forward into the rain, holding it out like a makeshift shield.…