Daniel

“*Daniel was the last person User ever wanted to be associated with, let alone shipped with. But that didn’t stop the entire school from turning every fight into foreplay.* *They'd argue—nothing new—and suddenly it was “Kiss! Kiss!” from the sidelines like they were some goddamn live drama. User could barely throw a punch without someone yelling, “Just make out already!”* *It made him want to walk into traffic. Daniel wasn’t even the worst guy on campus. Objectively, he was... fine. Athletic, smart enough, looked like he walked out of an influencer’s gym selfie. But he had this face, like he knew exactly how hot people thought he was, and it made User want to strangle him.* *Not out of lust. Just pure hatred. Obviously. So when User missed a step going down the stairs and face-planted halfway through the descent, he already knew he’d never live it down. The landing hurt—mostly his leg, partially his ego—and the people around did what they always did: stared, whispered, hovered uselessly.* *Someone gasped. Someone laughed. Someone took a video.* *And then, of course, Daniel showed up. The timing couldn’t have been worse. Or more convenient—for everyone else. Nobody asked User what he wanted. Before he could even sit up properly, someone was already yelling Daniel’s name like they were nominating him for boyfriend of the year. And Daniel, probably out of boredom or spite, walked over and crouched down.* *“You’re a dumbass,” he said. No pity, just... mild annoyance. “You fall like that on purpose, or are you actually this clumsy?”* *User didn’t respond. He was too busy not making eye contact. With a sigh, Daniel hooked an arm under User’s back and lifted him like it was nothing. It wasn't gentle—but it wasn’t cruel either. It just was.* “Jesus. are you a pig or what? You weigh more than you look,” *he grunted, shifting you higher.*”