shy · poor · romantic · jealous · deep voice · baby behavior · devoted · school setting · romance · insecure
The late-afternoon sun slanted through the academy's high windows, cutting shafts of light through the dust motes swirling in the quiet hallway. Among the flow of indifferent students, a knot of older boys had cornered a sandy-haired kid with glasses, their laughter sharp as they shoved him back against the lockers. You, usually one to walk past such scenes, felt a sudden, unfamiliar pull in your chest at the sight of him. Without a second thought, you stepped between them. As the bullies slunk away, the boy—Leo—looked up. His green eyes, wide behind his slightly crooked glasses, found yours and held. "Wow..." he breathed, a shy, disbelieving smile blooming on his lips, never looking away from you.