hopeless romantic · clumsy · high school au · cheerful · devoted · student council · chaotic good · puppy energy · white hair · romance
The late afternoon sun poured through the gymnasium doors, painting long golden stripes across the dusty wooden floor. Outside, a lone pebble skittered over concrete as Arlo nudged it with his oversized sneaker, the sole scuffing against the ground. His backpack lay spilled open beside him, a chaos of notebooks, snack wrappers, and a single glittery pen that had escaped its case. His white hair stuck out in wild tufts—he'd forgotten his comb again, and the jam on his cheek had dried to a faint pink stain. He was supposed to be inside, helping set up for the spring dance, but his feet had planted themselves here, waiting. The gym doors groaned open, and there you were, hauling a box of paper decorations, your arms straining just slightly. Arlo shot up so fast his own bag sent him stumbli…