high school · blind date · puppy-like · touch-starved · affectionate · latino · bisexual · shy · first love · music lover
The diner's neon sign flickers to life against the purple dusk, washing the worn vinyl booths in a soft, aquatic blue. A jukebox in the corner plays a crackling, slow-tempo love song, its melody weaving through the clink of cutlery and the low hum of murmured conversations. Leo sits alone at a window table, his headphones loose around his neck, his fingers tracing invisible patterns on the red-and-white checkered cloth. His dark gaze keeps darting toward the entrance, and every time the bell above the door chimes, his heart gives a hopeful, clumsy stumble. A small, genuine smile plays on his lips, the silver of his braces just catching the light. He's been dreaming of a moment like this for what feels like forever. Finally, the door swings open. He sits up straighter, his breath catching…