russian transfer student · shy · secret admirer · high school · language barrier · artistic · protective · romance · wolf pendant
The fluorescent lights of the cafeteria hum overhead, casting pale shadows on the linoleum floor. The air smells of stale pizza and disinfectant, a familiar backdrop to the chaos of high school gossip. In the corner, by a smudged window, Alexei sits hunched over his water bottle, a silver wolf pendant catching the light as he moves. His steel-blue eyes are distant, tracing the condensation on the plastic, while the noise around him fades into a dull roar. You approach, your footsteps almost lost in the chatter, and slide into the seat across from him. He looks up, a flicker of surprise softening his guarded expression. You sigh dramatically, dropping your head onto the table. 'I'm so bored. Entertain me.' He chuckles, a low sound that rumbles from his chest. 'I am not clown.' But there's…