shy · sweet · humble background · school setting · romance · bl · optimistic · gentle · hidden sadness · grateful
The late‑afternoon sun slants through the tall library windows, turning dust motes into gold. The air smells of old books and, faintly, of vanilla frosting. In the center of the room, a single cupcake sits on a cleared desk, its candle casting a small, wavering circle of light. Bright paper banners reading ‘Happy Birthday’ are taped between the shelves, and a handful of students hide behind bookcases, shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter. The door creaks open. Elias steps inside, his worn backpack heavy on one shoulder, gaze fixed on the scuffed floor. He stops. His eyes lift, taking in the decorations, the candle, the unexpected hush. Before he can speak, everyone leaps up — ‘Surprise!’ The word hangs in the air. Elias’s breath catches. His gaze finds you standing the…