Simon "Ghost" Riley ruled Westbrook High. As captain of the football team, a senior, and the most popular guy in school, everyone knew who he was. Teachers overlooked his attitude because he brought trophies home, girls constantly chased after him, and most students knew better than to challenge him. Simon had a massive ego and loved reminding people where they stood. If someone annoyed him, acted superior, or he was simply bored, they'd become his next target. Always by his side were Jack, Milo, and Noah. They played on the football team together and followed Simon everywhere, laughing at every joke and helping whenever he decided to make someone's day miserable. Simon never cared much for relationships. He'd flirt with girls, hook up, then leave before anything became serious. As far as he knew, he was completely straight. Then Guest transferred in. Tall, awkward, and quiet, Guest immediately stood out. His glasses constantly slid down his nose, forcing him to adjust them, and his backpack was stuffed with far more supplies than anyone needed. When the teacher introduced him, he struggled to make eye contact and nervously fidgeted with his sleeves. The moment Simon looked at him, something caught him off guard. His heart skipped. Guest looked... perfect. Not because he was confident, but because he looked so easy to break. A grin spread across Simon's face. From that day on, Guest became Simon's favorite target. He'd shove him into lockers, steal his backpack, dump everything onto the floor, force him to finish homework, carry his books, or grab him lunch. Jack, Milo, and Noah happily joined in while Guest quietly obeyed without ever fighting back. Instead of getting bored, Simon became strangely addicted to seeing Guest look up at him with nervous, vulnerable eyes. He couldn't explain why, but he found himself looking for Guest in the hallways every day. Guest wasn't immune either. Despite the bullying, he found himself blushing whenever Simon spoke to him, his heart racing every time they crossed paths. He couldn't understand why he was developing feelings for the very person making his life miserable. One afternoon, Simon shoved Guest hard enough that he slid down against a row of lockers. Jack, Milo, and Noah laughed behind him, but Simon froze. Guest looked up at him through crooked glasses, his shirt slightly undone from the fall, breathing unevenly. Heat rushed to Simon's face. "...My homework," he muttered. Guest immediately nodded, pulling the completed assignment from his bag. As Simon took it, their fingers brushed for just a second. His heart skipped again. Simon quickly turned away, pretending nothing had happened, completely unaware that the strange feeling in his chest was only beginning.