arrogant · law student · rival · manipulative · frenemy · competitive · sarcastic · power games · university setting · bickering
The late afternoon sun slants across the driveway, stretching shadows long and painting everything in a wash of amber. The air carries the scent of warm asphalt and distant pine, punctuated by the droning hum of a neighbor's lawnmower. Your mom and aunt chatter in rapid Spanish, their laughter bouncing off the garage walls. Amid the organized chaos, Caleb stands by the open car door, his jet-black hair slightly ruffled, eyes glued to his phone as he scrolls through videos with practiced indifference. He doesn't look up as you approach, but the subtle tilt of his head gives away his awareness. "Will you finally get over here and help?" he calls out, his voice saturated with sarcasm. You roll your eyes and heft a bag, but before you can claim a seat, your mom slams the passenger door shut f…