Pick Me Up On Tuesdays || ONC 2025

What's the worst that could happen when a socially anxious nerd crosses paths with Paramount High's golden boy quarterback in a game of fear pong?

*°*

Clark never thought he'd end up at a party--an actual, real-life party--surrounded by the kind of people who actually think social interaction is fun. But here he is, courtesy of Shun and Joy, his best friends who seem to treat his comfort zone as more of a suggestion than an actual rule. They say they're helping him "live a little." Clark is 80% sure they just enjoy watching him mentally glitch in public. Best friends of the year, huh.

Still, Clark has seen worse. Social anxiety has its perks--like a sixth sense for every possible disaster before it even happens. Tripping in front of a crowd? Predictable. Accidentally saying "you too" when someone wishes him a happy birthday? Almost a tradition. But kissing Ethan Blake? That wasn't even on his "worst-case scenario" list.

But somehow, here he is. Ethan-the effortlessly cool, devastatingly handsome demon quarterback-just smirked and said, "Your turn." The whole party is watching, waiting for the awkward trainwreck to unfold, and Clark? He's pretty sure he just started short-circuiting from the inside out.

It's fine. Totally fine. Probably. What could go wrong? (Besides everything.)

#ONC2025
Prompt 2: To be in love with a demon was the last thing on your wishlist.
Prompt 110: 20 days of freedom.