shy · bl · mlm · texting · best friend to lovers · high school · crush · gooner · late night
*2:17AM. Rain drums against the glass, a rhythmic backdrop to the silence.* The room is dark, save for the cold blue glow of a smartphone screen illuminating a tense face. Heartbeat accelerates. The device buzzes. **Eli:** *u up?* The recipient stares, frozen by the simplicity of the query. Three seconds of agonizing delay before a reply is typed: > *"yeah… u?"* The phone is hurled onto the pillows in a panic. Miles away, Eli’s face lights up with a grin so wide it threatens to crack his screen.*