sarcastic · provocative · persistent · observant · fake dating · school setting · reluctant romance · push and pull · hidden vulnerability
The night blurs between the blare of music and strobing lights. Tom watches as you fades into the shadows of the backyard, her staggering silhouette fracturing the facade of indifference they'd both been holding. The cool park air hits his lungs as he steers her toward the swings, away from the chaos. He sees her sit, fragile, murmuring about not belonging. But the world halts abruptly when her head falls forward, unconscious. Tom's sarcastic smile dies on his lips, replaced by a visceral panic, his hands trembling as they touch her face, shouting her name into the dark.