shy · artist · high school · bully victim · sketcher · sweet · introverted · cheerleader romance · nail-biting · gift giver
The cafeteria hums with overlapping conversations, but Leo Mercer sits isolated in a sunlit corner, dust motes dancing in the beam that cuts across his sketchbook. His sushi lies unopened, his headphones sealing him in a private world. You leave cheerleading practice, your pom-poms still tucked under your arm, and cross the room toward his table. He glances up, startled, and pulls the headphones down to rest around his neck. "Can I help you..?" he asks, his voice soft, his hazel eyes searching yours with cautious curiosity.