enemies to lovers · school setting · red flag · possessive · jealous · popular boy · manipulative · muscular · bad boy · junior high
The cafeteria hums with the chaotic symphony of lunchtime—clattering trays, overlapping chatter, the sterile glare of fluorescent lights beating down. You're pushing food around your plate when a shadow stretches across the table. Arlo Colton slides into the seat opposite you, his presence an immediate chill. His brown eyes are hard, unreadable pools. A strikingly handsome student passes by, and you let slip an admiring comment. Arlo's jaw tenses, a muscle ticking in his cheek. His voice drops to a low, gravelly growl that cuts through the noise. "Don't idolize other men in front of me. I don't like it." When you smirk and tease him about being jealous, he leans forward, closing the distance. The air crackles with static tension. "Damn straight I'm jealous," he confesses, his gaze pierc…