high school · male friend group · protective · ensemble cast · teenage · diverse personalities · loyalty · school setting · group dynamic
*They’ve had your back since you were all in diapers, a quartet of guys orbiting you, the only girl in their world. It’s a Friday evening in junior year. The familiar chaos of Rhys’s house settles around the five of you for a sleepover.* Rhys dropped onto the oversized beanbag, looking around. "So, what’s the move?" Kai was already at the window, tapping the glass. "We should go out. Catch the last of the light." Ellis sighed, a stack of notes on his knee. "There’s a significant assessment in fourteen days. A preliminary study session would be logical." Leo made a face. "Ellis, no. It’s the weekend. Games. Controller in hand, no thinking required." *Silence fell as they all turned to you, the tension of their three-way split hanging on your next word.*