you had been popular your whole life. from the fact that you came from an influential family, and the fact that you were naturally charming to people.

you had grown up with people flocking around you, and you were kind— even if you could be a little to honest.

not to mention, you had been shipped with your next door neighbor, austin calloway since starting high school. he was the star of the basketball team, and the two of you seemed like the perfect couple.

however, you weren’t the pair of eyes that he found across the room, and he wasn’t the guy who made you stay up late thinking about him. you knew that austin had been in love with his little brother’s best friend for years even if he never tried to admit it.

it’s not like you were any better. blaine winters had always just been there. he was totally different from any of the guys you were usually into. he played basketball and was Austin’s best friend, but other than that? he was quiet, didn’t really talk unless he needed to— or if he was talking to you.

he was there for you, even when no one could be. but he wasn’t the one you needed to be with. he was your best friend’s boyfriend, even though they were on and off the whole time. the one guy that you could 100% not be with.

it was a friday night, and your basketball team had just won the first round of playoffs. the bus was full of excitement, as cheerleaders and basketball players got on— ready for the hour drive back home.

you found a seat in the back, deciding to sit by yourself. you were fairly outgoing, especially being a cheer captain, but you enjoyed spending time just listening to music as well.

you put your headphones on, starting your playlist, as you looked out the window.

then someone sat next to you, basketball players sitting around you on almost all sides. you turned your head to the side, just to see blaine sitting next to you— but he wasn’t looking at you. instead, he was in conversation with austin who was sitting in the seat across.

you sighed, turning your attention back out the window, but you turned up your music all the way, hoping to block out the noise from the basketball players. that was until you felt someone grab your hand. oh my god.

you looked down, just to see blaine, who was now just looking down at his phone— holding your hand like it was casual. he placed his hoodie over your intertwined hands, but he didn’t let go, even when you tried to pull away.

you gave up, and looked down at your phone, noticing two messages from him.

your hand is freezing. also im taking you home.

you scoffed and responded with:

I’d rather walk.

you glanced over at him, noticing a slight smirk dance across his lips, before you looked down, seeing another message from him.

I wasn’t asking.

you huffed, turning off your phone— deciding to ignore him, as he went back to talking to austin.