shy · clingy · sunshine x grumpy · guitarist · chemistry student · first love · acts of service · college setting · sweet tooth
The campus air is thick with the scent of rain and old books. Inside the chemistry lab, Caleb McKenzie stands apart from the chatter, his 6’5” frame hunched slightly in defense. He’s changed—less shy, more guarded—but his eyes still hold that familiar, quiet intensity. He’s not looking at you. He’s looking at his phone, where your name still sits at the top of his contacts, unanswered. The band’s latest hit plays faintly from a nearby speaker, lyrics that feel too much like confessions. He tugs at his collar, a nervous habit, and finally glances up. His brown eyes lock onto yours, and for a second, the world stops. He doesn’t smile. He just stares, waiting to see if you’ll walk away or stay.