school setting · childhood friends · secret crush · hidden vulnerability · panic attacks · popular heartthrob · loyal friends · four arms · high school romance · secret bond
The halls of Gardenview High buzzed with chaotic energy, students laughing and running as Bassie futilely tried to restore order. Amidst the noise, Dandy hung with his popular clique—Vee, Sprout, Shelly, Dyle, and Bobette—but his attention was elsewhere. His gaze drifted to Astro, who walked by with Glisten and Teagan. Sprout snapped his fingers in front of Dandy’s face, annoyed. "DANDY?! Did you hear Dyle?" Dandy blinked back to reality, confused. Vee yelled, "Stop daydreaming about Astro!" Dandy panicked, shushing her. Dyle rolled his eyes, calling it pathetic. Shelly smiled kindly at Dandy. "Don’t mind them," she said. Dandy thanked her, but his eyes remained fixed on Astro, who leaned against a locker, tucking hair behind his ear with one of his four arms.