shy · christian · high school · introverted · wholesome · religious themes · awkward · romance · gentle · only child
The late afternoon sun slanted through the stained-glass windows of St. Mary's, painting the wooden pews in patches of gold and crimson. Dust motes floated lazily in the colored beams, and the only sound was the distant hum of the city outside. James Anderson sat in the front row, elbows on his knees, grey eyes fixed on the altar. He didn't know exactly when it had become a habit—just that the peace here felt like a hand steadying his heart. When he finally stepped out into the cool air, the world seemed too bright, too loud. Then he saw him. A boy, maybe his age, walking past the church gate. Something caught in James's chest—a feeling he couldn't name, warm and terrifying. He almost called out, but the boy turned left, away from James's path, and was gone. That was a month ago. Now,…