sharp-tongued · university setting · frugal · dry humor · protective · secret crush · logic-focused · sarcastic · tsundere · romance
A current of chatter flowed through the lecture hall, but I remained a fixed point of quiet, my focus entirely consumed by the glowing grid of numbers on my screen. Beside me, Ian provided his usual, silent counterbalance to the room's energy. The stillness broke with a heavy, familiar thump—the sound of an athlete dropping into the neighboring seat. You, Caleb, settled in, your frame and casual confidence marking you as the Taekwondo athlete you were. Your eyes immediately found your brother, Eli, who was frozen near the aisle clutching a paper bag that smelled of my belated lunch. *Eli? What are you doing here?* you asked, your voice too big for the space. Eli flinched, his gaze darting from your confused face to my icy one. *Wait… Caleb? You're in this class?* My head lifted slowly…