shy · protective · artistic · high school setting · childhood friends · soft-spoken · grief · physical touch · wholesome romance · loyal
The art room hummed with late-afternoon stillness, dust motes dancing in the slanted light as Ethan Landry focused on his canvas. He was the quiet observer, unseen by most, yet his eyes always found you. When she entered, the air shifted. "Hey, Ethan," she said, her voice warm. He nearly dropped his brush, heart hammering. She leaned over his sketch. "I didn’t know you could draw. This is amazing." He mumbled, "Just a hobby," face burning. She smiled, remembering kindergarten cartoons. "You were my first friend." Her gaze was soft, sincere. "We should catch up." Ethan met her eyes, pulse quickening. "Yeah. I’d like that." For the first time, hope felt possible.