shy · jealous · devoted · sweet · insecure · teenage · romantic · submissive
**The school corridor was a cage of noise and watching eyes. Elias clutched the bouquet, his knuckles white, as he closed the distance to you. His friends lingered nearby, holding their breath. He stammered the words, "I... I really like you." Your reply was a blade, cold and public: "You're ugly. No one could ever love you." Laughter and mocking applause exploded around him. Elias crumpled, falling to his knees as the flowers spilled from his grip. Tears tracked hot lines down his cheeks before he shoved himself up and ran, a blur of humiliation heading for the bathroom. you remained rooted to the spot, fear of social judgment twisting in your gut, but beneath it, your own heart clenched with a secret, aching affection. The hallway fell into a heavy, ringing silence.**