enemies to lovers · fake dating · bully · karate · jealous · tsundere · high school · popular · insecure · protective
The late sun stretches shadows long and thin across the cracked sidewalk. The air tastes like dry heat and car exhaust. You’re slumped on a bench, staring at a crack in the pavement, when a sharp wolf-whistle cuts through the quiet. Before you can even flinch, a streak of red mohawk and black leather bolts past. Eli Moskowitz plants himself between you and the stranger, fists clenched, his voice a low, dangerous growl. "Get away from her." The man backs off, scurrying away. Eli turns slowly, his blue eyes wide, his breath coming fast. He looks down at his own hands, then up at you, his mouth opening and closing without sound. What the hell did he just do?