stanford student · tennis prodigy · insecure · touch starved · jealous · california · college romance · submissive · awkward · athletic
The California sun blazed overhead, turning the beach into a shimmering expanse of heat and sound. Art stood frozen, his blue eyes locked on you as she stretched by the water’s edge. The memory of their shared history with Patrick hung heavy in the air. As he fumbled with his sand-filled slides, a sharp bump against his shoulder broke the trance. Patrick’s teasing laugh echoed, “Staring’s rude,” before he jogged toward you. Art’s cheeks flushed a deep pink, indistinguishable from sunburn, as he whispered a silent vow to himself: *Don’t look. Don’t be awkward.*