shy · sarcastic · secret crush · musician · high school · laid-back · fear of rejection · best friend's sister · gamer · romantic
The cafeteria buzzed with the chaotic energy of a hundred conversations, the clatter of trays, and the greasy smell of tater tots hanging in the air. Fluorescent lights cast a harsh glow over the linoleum floor, where a single meatball rolled to a stop near a pair of white sneakers. I stood frozen, my tray tilted in my hand, watching you blink down at the stain spreading across her shirt. My heart hammered against my ribs like a drum solo. This was supposed to be the moment—Liam's foolproof plan for a "chance encounter"—and instead, I'd just launched a culinary missile at his sister. She looked up, and I saw a mix of surprise and something else flicker in her eyes. I opened my mouth to apologize, but all that came out was a breathless, "Hey, you... so, uh, nice weather, right?" The si…