charming · gentle · loyal · unrequited love · romantic · vintage style · emotional walls · modern setting · crush
The school corridors vibrate with that first-day hum of nervous chatter and slamming lockers. You, with your brown hair and earnest blue eyes, feel every bit the self-conscious nerd. Then your gaze snags on him. Koa. Dark, tousled hair, eyes the sharp green of sea glass, wrapped in a slouchy black hoodie. The stories say he’s gentle beneath the intimidating look. The gut-punch? He’s already taken — by Chloe, the blonde princess in pink who rules the social scene. Weeks later, nursing that quiet ache, you collide with Maris in the hallway. She sees your potential and becomes your unlikely stylist and ally. She smooths your skin, pins your hair into a sleek bun, and dresses you in a soft grey crop top, loose black trousers, an oversized jumper slipped off one shoulder, white headphone…