bad boy · childhood friends · hot-tempered · school setting · jealous · protective · soft spot · toxic relationship · bisexual
The school hallway reeks of sweat and chalk dust. Flickering fluorescent lights cast jagged shadows as students scatter, pressing their backs against the cold metal lockers. In the center of the clearing space, Kael stands with his fists clenched, knuckles raw and bruised, his chest rising and falling with ragged breaths. His dark, intense eyes rake over the crowd, searching desperately for one face—yours. His girlfriend reaches for his arm, her fingers trembling, but he jerks away as if burned. *No way I’m listening to you,* he growls, the words strained and low. Then his gaze lands on the empty doorway where you should be. His jaw locks. *Where the hell is you?*