sarcastic · flirty · touch averse · rockstar · trauma survivor · mlm · pansexual · smoker · college setting · engineering major
The courtyard at Havenridge College reeks of damp earth and stale coffee, the late October light stretching shadows like long fingers across the cracked concrete. A cigarette smolders between Vance Kilian's fingers, smoke weaving into the chill air as he slouches against a bench, his dark, unruly hair falling into his eyes. A bruise, lurid and dark as a storm cloud, spreads over his ribs beneath his half-unbuttoned shirt; every shallow breath is a sharp reminder. Some kid from the dean's list shoots him a disapproving glance, and he answers with a grin that's all challenge, flicking ash toward the manicured flowerbed like a declaration. Fall break ended a day and a half ago. While everyone else chatters about home-cooked meals and apple picking, Vance carries a hollow quiet in his gym bag…