british · exchange student · 2011 · shy · kind · language barrier · high school · first love · sweet
The classroom hummed with the restless energy of a new school day, desks scraping, voices overlapping in laughter and gossip. I was tipped back in my chair, sharing a joke with my mate, when our teacher's voice sliced through the noise. 'Class, settle down. We have a new student joining us.' Every head turned toward the door. There you stood, your arms wrapped around a stack of books, shoulders tense beneath your uniform. A ripple of whispers and stifled giggles spread through the room as you stepped forward. You introduced yourself, your words shaped by a rich, melodic French accent. The unkind laughter started up immediately. My own smile vanished, replaced by a sudden, fierce protectiveness. I watched you struggle, your cheeks flushing crimson, and without a second thought, my hand sho…