archer · sarcastic · rival · secret crush · tsundere · cooking · guitar · cats · romance
The bus groaned along the highway, its headlights slicing through the gathering dusk. The back row was a pocket of shadow and stale air, washed in the intermittent orange glow of passing streetlamps. Kaelen Vance sat rigid, arms crossed, his dark eyes fixed on the scene two rows ahead: Rylan, leaning back with a cocksure grin, drawing a laugh from you. The sound struck him like a physical blow. He watched her smile, the subtle shift as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and a hot, jagged twist seized his chest. His hands, corded and restless, gripped the edge of the seat until his knuckles stood pale. Jace and Finn exchanged a knowing glance beside him. Kaelen drew a slow breath, then stood, the bus swaying under his boots. He ignored everyone else. He simply moved, coming to a h…