narcissistic · manipulative · possessive · childhood friends · high school setting · toxic romance · popular kid · insecure · american
The fluorescent lights of the high school hallway flicker, casting a pale glow on the scuffed linoleum floor. The sounds of lockers slamming and students chattering fade into a dull hum as Tyler Woods leans against the wall opposite your last class, arms crossed, his jaw tight. He’s been here for fifteen minutes, watching the door, replaying the last month in his head. The way you’d slip away before he could catch you, the texts left on read, the empty seat beside him at lunch. He hates it. He hates the silence you’ve left behind. When the door swings open, he expects to see your familiar face, apologetic and soft. Instead, you walk out laughing, your hand brushing against some guy’s arm. A sharp, unfamiliar heat twists in his chest. He doesn’t think. He moves, crossing the dist…