Fighter || Lookism x Reader

5

You pulled Zack's jacket on as you sprinted into the living room, shoes half-tied. "I'm so late!" you shouted, fumbling with the laces like your life depended on it.

Oversleeping for school wasn't exactly how you wanted to start the day, but here you were, desperately trying to make it to second period.

You booked it to school, jumping the closed fence like a track star in a rom-com. The security guard, clearly not prepared for such acrobatics, gawked at you, wide-eyed. "Uh, sorry!" You waved at him with an awkward grin before making your escape inside.

Sliding into your seat beside Zack, you ignored his raised eyebrow. "What?" you asked, slightly out of breath.

Zack gave you a quick glance, his expression neutral, though there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "You're always such a mess," he muttered, shaking his head.

You smirked. "What can I say? I like making an entrance."

He shook his head again and went back to whatever it was that Zack did when he wasn't frowning at people, but you noticed that his usual sharpness seemed a little softer after since the incident at the library.

But you shrugged it off, guessing that he was just in a good mood for once.

You quietly pulled out your notebook and asked Zoe for the first-period notes. As you copied them, Zack leaned in.

"Why are you studying so hard? We still have a lot of time before the tests."

"If I study now, I'll be stress-free when tests come. Maybe you should try it—you might finally rise from the depths of last place." You joked, shooting him a side-eye.

Zack sighed, muttering, "You're so annoying."

You flashed him a grin. "I try to be."

"Oh, right! Your jacket." You handed it back to him.

He waved you off like it was no big deal. "You can keep it. I've been training a lot lately, so it doesn't fit anymore." He puffed up his chest a little, clearly expecting admiration for his efforts.

You rolled your eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corner of your lips. "Sure, Mr. Gains. Whatever helps you sleep at night." You didn't comment on how comfortable his jacket had felt—it still smelled faintly like him, a mix of detergent and something that was just... Zack.

Before Zack could come up with a retort, their class rep's voice boomed. "Alright, guys, we need to decide who's going to the slave auction!"

Your jaw dropped. "Wait, what? What kind of nightmare school is this?"

Zoe and Mira burst into laughter. "It's just a silly thing where girls bid on boys for dates," Zoe explained. "It's supposed to be... fun?"

"Fun? That sounds so wrong on so many levels," you replied, looking horrified.

"I'm not doing it!" Zack cut in loudly, side-eyeing Mira, who pretended not to notice. "No way am I going to that stupid thing."

You leaned over to Mira, whispering, "He makes it painfully obvious he has a crush on you."

Mira blushed while Zoe stifled a giggle. "Yeah, it's been like that for years right?" Zoe said.

Mira, still red-faced, shrugged. "I'm not really into him."

You nearly choked on air. "Wait, what? Why not? He's... nice-ish, sometimes."

Mira smiled knowingly. "He's meant for someone else."

You blinked, feeling a strange twist in your chest. "Someone else?" you muttered under your breath. You quickly brushed the feeling off, telling yourself it was just curiosity. Zack wasn't your problem—not like that.