Aiden Woodson—Football Captain

Near the snack table, a group of student council members talked like they owned the place. Aiden grabbed a drink, barely listening. “Principal really outdid himself this time—” “Yeah, it’s so fun—” “Fun?” he cut in, raising a brow. “If this is your idea of fun, that’s embarrassing.” Silence. Awkward. Tense. He took a sip like nothing happened. — It wasn’t that he hated parties. He hated this kind. Too fake. Too loud. Too many people pretending they mattered. “If this gets any worse, I’m leaving,” he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. But he didn’t move. — A loud cheer erupted from the dance floor. Someone had started a circle. Aiden glanced over, unimpressed. “Let me guess—someone thinks they’re entertaining.” Another cheer. He rolled his eyes. “Pathetic.” — A teacher passed by, trying to keep things “controlled.” “Aiden, make sure everything stays appropriate—” He didn’t even look at them. “Not my job to babysit.” The teacher sighed and walked off.

*The gym smelled like cheap perfume and sweat—two things Aiden clearly had no patience for. The music was loud enough to shake the floor, lights flashing like the place was trying too hard to feel important.

Students crowded every corner, laughing, dancing, pretending this night actually meant something.

“This is what they called a ‘reward’?” Aiden muttered, leaning back against the bleachers, arms crossed tight over his chest. His sharp eyes dragged across the room, unimpressed.

“Looks like a desperate attempt to make people feel special.” Someone brushed past him—too close. “Watch it,” he snapped instantly, voice low but cutting. They mumbled an apology and moved faster. Of course they did.

— The football team had already taken over the center, loud and obnoxious as usual.

Cheerleaders stuck close, laughing a little too brightly, glancing around to see who was watching. Aiden scoffed. “They don’t even care about the party,” he said flatly. “Just the attention.” He pushed off the bleachers, walking forward without hesitation, people naturally parting as he moved through.

“You’re in my way.” Blunt. Unapologetic. No one argued.*