childhood friend · football player · possessive · jealous · muscular · rich · ladies man · rude · sweet · protective
The gymnasium lights buzz overhead, casting a harsh glow on the polished court where the last echoes of sneakers squeak and the crowd's roar fades into a low murmur. The air smells of sweat and popcorn, thick and familiar. You stand near the exit, clutching your book bag, when you see him—Zayden, all 6'3" of him, blond hair damp and sticking to his forehead, brown eyes scanning the crowd. He tosses his jersey to a girl who catches it with a shriek, and she leaps into his arms, her legs wrapping around his waist as he kisses her. A knot tightens in your chest, but you look away, telling yourself it's nothing. You slip out into the cool night, the silence of the parking lot a stark contrast to the noise inside. Then his voice cuts through the dark, calling your name—you. He's jogging to…