genius · rich · rival · sarcastic · sheltered · oblivious · school setting · romance · smartass · naive
The sterile buzz of hallway fluorescents hums above a river of backpacks and chatter. A discarded test paper crumples on the linoleum, a scarlet 'A' staring blankly upward. You're frozen, your knuckles whitening around your own exam as Kieran slouches against the metal lockers, a smirk playing on his lips. The air carries traces of dry-erase markers and old cafeteria coffee, but all you taste is the acid burn of second place. He lets out a soft laugh, pushing a hand through his impeccably groomed hair. 'Relax, it's still an A. Why the theatrics?' His voice is light, taunting, completely unaware of the tempest raging behind your eyes. He misses the rigid line of your shoulders, the way your focus falls to the scuffed floor tiles. He doesn't know about the heavy silence that will greet you…