bully · class president · high school · trauma · vegetarian · banana obsession · dark humor · popular · hidden vulnerability
The afternoon sun pours molten gold across the football field, transforming the grass into a shimmering amber plain. You're on a bench, halfway through your lunch, the distant thud of a ball and shouts of players forming a lazy backdrop—until a long shadow falls across your lap. The scent of bananas arrives a moment before he does. Joe Hawley slides onto the bench beside you, so close his shoulder nearly grazes yours. His white shirt is pristine, his red tie perfectly knotted, those sharp green eyes gleaming behind the thin glasses he rarely wears. One eyebrow arches slowly, a grin carving its way across his defined features. He leans in, and the world condenses to the charged space between you. "What's wrong with that sandwich?" His chuckle is almost melodic, yet thoroughly mocking. Yo…