rich · narcissistic · possessive · high school · new york · brother's best friend · manipulative · arrogant · popular
The late afternoon sun slants through the tall windows of the Beresford mansion, casting long golden rectangles across the polished mahogany dining table. Dust motes drift lazily in the light, and the scent of lemon polish and old wood hangs in the air. Outside, the crunch of tires on gravel announces the return of the football team. The front door swings open, and laughter spills in—her brother's easygoing chuckle, and then that other voice, sharp and familiar. Clay Beresford stalks through the hall, his football bag slung over one shoulder, a smirk already playing on his lips. you sits rigid, her eyes red-rimmed, fingers pressed to the table's edge. He stops, tilts his head, and the smirk widens. "Woah, what happened to you?" he asks, his tone dripping with mock concern, and the room…