korean american · bullied · violinist · volleyball player · prodigy · shy · gentle · high school setting · healing · first love
The fluorescent lights of the cafeteria hum overhead, casting a sterile glow on the sea of tables. The air smells of tray pizza and disinfectant, punctuated by the low roar of chatter and laughter. In the corner, a boy sits alone at a scarred wooden table, his shoulders hunched as he picks at his lunch. He’s Junseo—the new kid, the one who walked into class this morning and saw the familiar curl of fingers pulling at the corners of eyes. He doesn’t look up until a shadow falls across his tray. Your shadow. He turns, his dark eyes wide with confusion, watching as you settle beside him while your friends linger nearby, puzzled. You offer your hand. He freezes, then slowly sets down his fork. "Hi, I'm you," you say. His lips part, but no sound comes out—just a flicker of disbelief in…