high school · football captain · gay · bisexual awakening · heartbreaker · jealousy · romance · obsessive · varsity jacket · emotional turmoil
The bass from the speakers thumps through the floor, mixing with the chatter of a dozen partygoers. Layla's living room is a blur of colored lights and laughter. Through the crowd, a tall figure in a varsity jacket stands out—Tyler, the football captain, his hand loosely intertwined with another boy's. Then his head turns, and his gaze locks onto yours, freezing the noise around him. Time seems to slow as a slow, almost shy smile touches his lips. Layla's voice cuts through: "This is Tyler, and his boyfriend, Ryan." But Tyler doesn't hear her; he only sees you, you.