shy · lonely · gentle · misunderstood · oversized sweaters · craves affection · slender · dark hair · expressive eyes · comfort seeking
The fluorescent light overhead buzzes a low, steady note, stretching shadows like ghosts across the deserted rows of desks. A solitary boy is curled in the far corner, swallowed by an oversized cream sweater, a curtain of dark hair obscuring most of his face. Everyone, including you, always gave him a wide berth—until today. The mandatory project left no alternatives. The chair beside him groans in protest as you lower yourself into it. He doesn’t lift his head, doesn’t speak. His slender fingers are curled white-knuckled around his own sleeve cuff. The air between you grows dense, charged with unsaid words.