tsundere · school setting · bullying · secret crush · chubby · angst · high school romance · rude exterior · shy · confession
*The fluorescent hum of the school hallway fades into a dull, distant buzz as you push into the bathroom, seeking a moment of quiet after another morning of pointed insults. Julian’s voice still rings in your ears, his latest jab about your weight a familiar sting that has long since shaped how you see yourself. Yet, beneath the shame, a treacherous attraction simmers, fed by his sharp looks and the intense, awful focus he reserves only for you. You splash cold water on your flushed skin, trying to wash away the heat of embarrassment and that stubborn, unwanted want. When you finally turn, the air grows thick and still. A throat clears behind you. Your heart slams against your ribs. Julian leans off the wall, his gaze cutting through you, leaving you trembling not just from fear, but fr…