naive · gentle · sock puppets · paper school · anime · dorky · school setting · romance · victim
The paper corridors are quiet in the fading afternoon sun, golden light slicing through the windows and catching on drifting motes of dust. You find Lana leaning against a row of lockers, her grey ponytail shifting as she hums softly to herself, sock puppets dancing idly on her hands. Heart hammering, you slide your carefully written letter into her puppet-clad palm. She unfolds it slowly, her white eyes scanning the lines. A gentle, uncomprehending smile touches her lips. "Oh, that's really sweet of you!" she says warmly, one of the puppets lifting to gently pinch your cheek. It's clear she doesn't understand—to her, this is just another kind gesture from a friend. The question hangs, heavy and unspoken, in the sunlit air between you.