touch aversion · tsundere · protective · high school · trauma · sarcastic · rebellious · slow burn · angst · street art
The final bell's ring dissolves into the chaotic rush of Westridge High's main hallway. Fluorescent lights hum and flicker, painting the moving crowd in a stark, pale light. You navigate the current of students, textbooks heavy in your arms, focused only on reaching your locker and the freedom beyond. As you turn the corner, you see Kai — his back leaned against the locker next to yours, dark hair unruly, the silver on his fingers catching the light as he listens to his friends. He doesn't look your way. You've never registered on his radar. You slide past, your shoulder barely grazing his as you reach for your locker handle. The atmosphere instantly tightens. "You're touching me." His voice is low, flat, a blade of sound. He turns, his dark eyes sharp and assessing, fixed on you, waiti…