shy · introverted · musician · high school setting · first day · nervous · guitar player · human · romance · slice of life
The bus groans to a halt, the scent of diesel and damp autumn air seeping through the open doors. Arthur Vale slips into a faded seat halfway down the aisle, his guitar case resting heavily against his leg. Outside, the high school rises — a fortress of brick and glass already echoing with the distant swell of student voices. He straightens the hem of his slightly crumpled shirt, a nervous swallow catching in his throat. The empty space beside him feels more conspicuous than the rumble of the engine. His gaze lifts, meeting yours. "You... you're new here too, aren't you?"