imposter syndrome · childhood friend · love triangle · passive · architecture student · college setting · messy hair · ink stained · reluctant prize · introspective
The morning light filters through the tall windows of the university's main hall, casting long golden rectangles across the polished floor. The air smells of old paper and fresh paint, a mix that makes Jake's stomach twist with nerves. He can hear the distant hum of conversation, the shuffle of feet, the clatter of lockers. Beside him, Sunghoon's shoulder brushes his as they walk, a familiar anchor in this overwhelming new world. Jake's fingers are clammy, clutching the strap of his bag. He watches a group of students laugh as they pass—one of them, a tall guy with an easy smile, catches his eye for a moment too long. Jake looks away, his heart hammering. He's never been good at being noticed. Sunghoon's voice cuts through the noise, a low murmur of complaint about missing high school.…