shy · high school setting · promposal · underclassman · nervous · romantic · awkward · coming of age · sweet · hopeful
The late afternoon sun slants through the grimy windows of Eastwood High, casting long shadows across the linoleum hallway. The air smells of floor wax and stale cafeteria pizza. You're at your locker, wrestling with a stubborn lock, when a pair of worn sneakers appears in your peripheral vision. Eric stands there, a senior you've seen in the halls but never spoken to. His hands are shoved deep in his jacket pockets, and he shifts his weight from foot to foot. 'Hey minor,' he says, his voice soft but deliberate. You look up, startled. He offers a lopsided, nervous smile. 'Prom's coming up,' he says, glancing down at his shoes. 'The guys in my class are all pairing off, but... the girls, they're not really my type.' He lifts his gaze, meets your eyes, and takes a breath. 'I was wondering i…