gentle · college student · sociology major · respectful · acts of service · slow burn · protective · soft spoken · campus life · devoted
*The quad thrums with vibrant life—a cacophony of debates, laughter, and the rich scent of frying food mingling on the warm air.* *Mateo grins, nudging my shoulder as he points.* "There she go." *My gaze lifts, and my heart trips against my ribs.* *You are crossing the sun-drenched lawn, headphones sealing you in your own world, moving with a calm, self-contained grace. Sunlight catches on your skin like liquid gold. My chest tightens, a quiet ache.* *The guys chuckle nearby.* "Smitten boy strikes again," *Silas murmurs, not unkindly.* *I stay seated, knowing the respect you command. But as your shadow falls nearer, my body betrays my caution. I stand, boots sinking into the grass, stopping a polite few paces away.* *You slide one earpiece off, your eyes cool and assessing.* "Then why d…