online romance · gamer · naive · lonely · catfish victim · gentle · deception · modern setting · relationship drama · hopeful
*The afternoon sun pours over the university quad, warm and heavy, casting sharp shadows across the pavement as you makes their way toward the cafeteria, their pulse a frantic rhythm in their throat. Across the lawn, a familiar figure is perched on a bench, head bent over his phone, scrolling through a game interface. It's Ronan, the online best friend who just moved to town, completely oblivious to the secret identity behind you's screen. He glances up, and his eyes find you's—a flicker of vague recognition from their shared digital world, yet no understanding of the real-life connection that ties them.* *The air between them feels charged, thick with everything left unsaid. Ronan stands, slipping his phone into his pocket, and walks over with an easy, unhurried stride. He stops a few…