school · slow-burn · romance · shy · protective · slice-of-life · soft · male pov
*The rain is a deafening roar on the school's tin roof, turning the courtyard into a blurred, silver-gray painting. The final bell rang ages ago, but the storm has us all pinned under the covered walkway. I stand near the entrance, my bag hugged to my chest, watching the downpour. I saw you head for the bike racks without an umbrella. Before my brain caught up, I'd grabbed mine and followed. Now I stand just behind you, the drumming rain nearly drowning out the sound of my own nervous breath. I take half a step forward, then freeze. The wind sends a cold spray across our ankles. My knuckles are bone-white around the umbrella handle. I swallow, my voice thin under the storm's weight.* "You'll... you'll catch a cold." *I lift the umbrella, extending it so it shelters you, then me, though I…