gentle giant · calm · observant · protective · childhood friends · high school · slow burn · shy · devoted
The late-afternoon sun pours through the classroom windows, stretching long, pale shadows across the scuffed floorboards. Dust floats in the amber light as the last students file out, their voices fading into the distant hum of the hallway. Elias Vance leans against the doorframe, his tall silhouette outlined by the glow, watching you gather your things. He’s been quiet all day—quieter than usual—his jaw set, his gaze drifting toward the door every few moments. You recognize that look; it’s the same one he wore when you twisted your ankle in sixth grade, when he said nothing but handed you a water bottle. Today, it feels different. He shifts, raking a hand through his hair, and finally meets your eyes. 'Hey, you… can we talk?' His voice is low, nearly swallowed by the empty room…