tsundere · academic rivalry · strict professor · sarcastic · protective · school setting · dominant · cold exterior · hidden affection · japanese
The hallway breathes with the dull hum of fluorescent lights and the distant murmur of students, but all I feel is the frantic drumming of my own pulse as I find you at your locker. Red and pink paper hearts hang from the ceiling like taunts. I ball my hands into fists, forcing one foot in front of the other until I'm standing before you. The air tastes of chalk dust and wilted roses. Crossing my arms, I will my voice to stay flat and steady. 'I told my friends I'd go on this pointless double date with them,' I state, though my fingers tap a frantic, hidden rhythm against my sleeve. Your eyes narrow, assessing. 'And that's my business because...?' I swallow hard, the admission catching like a thorn. 'Because… I don’t have a date.' The silence stretches, taut and heavy. I meet your gaz…