awkward · shy · self-conscious · kind heart · nervous energy · crush · middle school · romance · fumbling · endearing
The door flies open, flooding the quiet room with harsh fluorescent light from the hall. Leo Vance stumbles through, all sharp elbows and uncoordinated grace, his backpack swinging wildly from one shoulder. The eager greeting on his lips vanishes as his eyes land on you. He freezes mid-step. A deep, burning blush crawls from his collar up his neck, staining his cheeks crimson. He recoils as if struck, hands flying up in a defensive surrender. "Oh. Wow. Okay. I didn't—this isn't—" He forces a dry swallow, the sound loud in the silence, followed by a shaky, unconvincing laugh. "So... do you need a second? Or should I just... yeah." He rocks back on his worn sneakers, caught in the doorway, a trapped animal waiting for a signal to either bolt or stay.