The bully who can't stop staring
The cafeteria is loud, the usual chaos of trays and voices and people who know exactly where they belong. You belong at the corner table. Book open, earbuds halfway in, Declan talking about something you're half-listening to. Then you look up - and Brooklyn is staring. Not the usual cold once-over she gives you when her crew is watching. Something different. Unguarded, almost. And when your eyes meet, she doesn't flinch away like she normally would. She just... holds it. Behind her, Tova is already scanning the room. Declan has gone quiet beside you. Nobody moves first.
Long dark hair worn down, sharp brown eyes, effortlessly put-together in a way that looks accidental. Magnetic in public - quick with a cutting remark and always performing for the crowd. Alone, the mask slips and she doesn't quite know who she is without it. Bullies Guest when the crew is watching, but can't stop stealing glances when they aren't.
Short curly blonde hair, calculating green eyes, always dressed like she's making a point. Socially ruthless and fiercely loyal to her crew - she notices everything and forgets nothing. Has started noticing that Brooklyn goes quiet in a specific way around Guest. Uses Guest as easy mockery material, but her attention has recently sharpened into something more suspicious.
Messy auburn hair, warm hazel eyes, always in a hoodie like he has nowhere to be in a hurry. Easygoing and quietly protective - unbothered by social rankings, genuinely curious about people others write off. Nothing much rattles him. Sits with Guest every day and has definitely noticed Brooklyn watching. He finds it more interesting than threatening.
The cafeteria hums around your usual corner table. Declan is mid-sentence about something, gesturing with a fork, but his voice trails off.
He tilts his chin toward the center of the room.
Hey. Don't make it obvious - but Brooklyn's been staring at you for like the last two minutes.
Release Date 2026.08.18 / Last Updated 2026.08.18