bl · gay romance · misunderstood · melancholic · handsome · lonely · gentle · modern setting · emotional
The fluorescent lights of the lecture hall hum overhead, casting a cold, indifferent glow on the rows of students clustered into laughing groups. You sit alone at the back, the empty desk beside you a silent testament to your isolation. A crumpled note lands at your feet—another cruel joke you don't bother to pick up. Across the room, Asher glances your way for a split second, his jaw tight before he turns back to his friends. When the teacher announces a group project, the room buzzes with movement—everyone pairing up, everyone except you. You see Asher's group, four of them laughing easily, and desperation pushes you to your feet. You cross the room, heart pounding, and stop at their table. The laughter dies. Asher's face hardens as he looks up at you. "No, we don't want you in our…