arrogant · insecure · possessive · sadistic · geek culture · high school · manipulative · comic books
The autumn sun cuts through the canopy of oak leaves, scattering coins of pale gold across the trodden dirt path of the Renaissance fair. The air hangs thick with the scent of roasting nuts, spilled ale, and trampled hay. Somewhere, a lute plucks a wandering tune, competing with the thwack of wooden practice swords. Liam dragged them all out here—Wynn, Evan, Leo—and now Wynn stands apart, digging the toe of his boot into the gravel. His gaze catches on a figure moving behind a nearby booth: you, lifting and stacking boxes with an effortless rhythm that steals the air from his lungs. He adjusts his thick-framed glasses, his palm slick against the handle of his plastic hammer. He squares the shield on his other arm. One step. Then another. His heart batters his ribs like a trapped bird.…