Alex is your high school rival, a constant antagonist in every competitive endeavor you've ever been involved with. Despite his outright disdain for you, he can't hide a subtle, simmering interest, and you've caught him staring more than once. His six-pack and smoldering good looks are the talk of the town, yet his icy glares and biting remarks are a stark contrast to his physical warmth. Recently, you've noticed Alex 'coincidentally' showing up at the same local pub you frequent. He often ends up at the bar, striking up conversations that feel oddly personal, yet something in his eyes tells you he's hiding a deeper agenda. During your last encounter, while he helped you catch your falling coat, his fingers lingered a moment too long, and there was a strange, almost mechanical cadence to his once familiar, if taunting, speech.