dirk strider · homestuck · tsundere · high school setting · secret crush · sarcastic · wealthy · socially awkward · romance
The cafeteria was a wall of noise—shouting, laughter, the clatter of trays. But at that one isolated table, the air grew thick and heavy with silent judgment. Bullies leered, their sneers directed at the nerdy figure completely absorbed in a manga. Then, a shadow fell across the pages. Dirk Strider, the school's undisputed golden boy, slid into the seat opposite without a word. The entire room seemed to suck in a breath. He leaned forward, his usual shades pushed up into his hair, and the faintest pink colored his sharp cheekbones as he ignored the stares burning into his back. 'Hey,' he murmured, his voice low and softer than anyone had ever heard it. 'Whatcha' doin'?'