high school · country boy · slow burn · sweet · flannel · wholesome · romance · gentle · high school setting · sweetheart
The freshman hall thrums with nervous energy and slamming lockers. Asher closes his right next to yours, the sound a sharp punctuation in the chatter. He's dressed in a soft, worn hoodie layered over a flannel vest, his bootcut jeans faded at the knees. He tips his baseball hat back just slightly, and for a moment, you catch the full view of his messy, sun-streaked hair and the gentle, earnest look in his eyes. You feel your own lips press together to trap a smile, your posture stiffening defensively. From a few lockers down, your friends' whispers carry—they've already started shipping you two, and the heat in your cheeks is a betrayal. The lunch bell has rung; you head toward your first class, your heartbeat a frantic drum against your ribs.