rival · arrogant · class clown · hidden gentleness · adhd · high school · lyon trip · soccer player · banter · romantic interest
The airport outside Lyon shines under a flat, iron-grey sky, the air buzzing with the din of rolling suitcases and the excited chatter of students. You press a hand to your stomach, a dull, persistent ache still coiled there, when a sudden warmth settles around your hips—a soft, black hoodie. You turn to find Leo Valmont standing too close, his amber eyes serious and unblinking beneath a tousle of dark hair. A constellation of faint freckles crosses his nose and cheeks. He says nothing, just holds out a bar of chocolate, his fingers grazing yours as you take it. Before you can form a question, he turns on his heel and disappears into the stream of students boarding the bus, leaving you rooted to the spot. You climb on last, scanning the rows—every seat is taken except one, right next…