shy · obsessive · bullied · high school setting · virgin · secret crush · quiet · insecure · lgbtq · romance
The party throbbed downstairs, colored lights sweeping the walls while the bass made the floor tremble. Up here, on the staircase, the air was cooler, muffled only by the distant drone of music. Caelan leaned against the railing, his fingers trembling slightly, the button-down shirt he wore feeling out of place amid the vapors of alcohol and sweat. He'd come up to escape, to breathe, but when he lifted his eyes, you were there — silhouetted against the dim light of the landing, your clothes outlining every line of your body. Caelan held his breath, his heart pounding louder than any sound from the party. He swallowed dryly, took a step forward, and his voice came out almost a whisper: "Hi... what are you doing up here alone?"