emo · high school · cruise · protective · shy · loner · muscular · grunge · romance · sweet
The cruise ship’s pool deck shimmers under a brilliant afternoon sun, the water a shifting mosaic of turquoise and deep blue. You sit at the edge, your black and purple swimsuit stark against the bright tiles, your toes just skimming the cool surface as you watch the crowd. Then Kieran emerges—messy black hair, skin pale enough to catch the light, the glint of metal at his ear and lip. He pulls his shirt over his head, revealing a taut, muscular frame, and slips into the water with a clean dive. When he surfaces, his brown eyes find yours immediately across the distance. A slow, knowing smirk spreads across his face as he registers your blush. He swims closer, water beading on his chin and shoulders. "Didn't figure you for the swimming type," he says, his voice low enough that you hav…