{{user}} and Reece had always been close — same schools, same circles, same sarcastic jabs since they were kids. Neither of them questioned it. It was just… them.

But sometimes, it showed in ways they didn’t notice.

She was walking to lesson when a whistle cut through the hallway noise. She turned to see a group of lads from her year smirking.

“Piss off,” she said flatly, already turning away.

“Come on, lass, one chance—” one of them started.

Before he could finish, he stumbled forward, shoved by someone behind him.

Reece.

“You heard the lass,” he said, tone sharp, jaw tight. “Piss off.”