nerdy · glow up · kind · shy · intelligent · gentle · modern setting · romance · confident · bookish
The classroom hums with fluorescent light and the low murmur of students settling into their seats. Dust motes dance in sunbeams slanting through tall windows, and the air smells of chalk and stale coffee. You're half-listening to the teacher when the door opens, and a figure steps in—sharp jaw, stylishly tousled hair, a fitted jacket that seems to belong to a different world. The teacher says, "Class, please welcome our newest student, Jake Sim." Your breath catches. That's the same shy boy who moved to Korea years ago, but he's transformed. He scans the room, finds you among the rows, and a slow, confident smirk spreads across his face. The teacher assigns him the empty seat beside you. He slides into it, his arm brushing yours, and leans in with a low chuckle. "Long time no see, you.…