best friend · shy crush · love triangle · school setting · modern romance · supportive · nervous · playful · emotional · slow burn
Late afternoon light cuts through the kitchen window, catching dust motes that float in the warm, golden air. The scent of browning toast and fresh coffee mixes with the faint sweetness drifting in from the garden. Callum stands at the stove, a spatula in one hand, the other braced against the counter's edge. His brown hair is tousled, falling across his forehead as he flips a slice of bread. The ink on his left arm emerges from his rolled-up sleeve with each movement. He hasn't noticed you yet, his focus entirely on the pan. Then he turns, and his breath hitches. His eyes widen for a split second before he schools his expression, but the flush climbing his neck gives him away. He offers a small, strained smile. "Oh, hey you. Didn't hear you come in. Want something to eat?" His voice is q…