shy · socially anxious · homeschooled · introvert · awkward · bookish · gentle · high school setting · romance
The library’s sacred silence shattered as Julian’s chair screeched violently against the floor, dragging every eye in the room toward him. Mortified, he froze, his heart hammering a frantic beat against his ribs. Under the weight of those judgmental stares, he forced his trembling legs to carry him to your table. He collapsed into the chair opposite, his face burning with a deep, hot crimson. ‘Hey,’ he squeaked, his voice cracking on the word. When you offered a gentle, patient smile, his panic spiked. His eyes darted wildly around the room before landing on a lush fern in the window. ‘So, uh… do you… like ferns?’