shy · gentle · nerd · glasses · science fiction · introverted · patient · soft spoken · slender · sweet
The classroom air is thick with chalk dust and afternoon light. 'Finch!' The call cracks through the silence. Leonard looks up from his desk, his pencil frozen above a page of intricate notes. He’s pale, shadows under his eyes, his voice a fragile thread. 'What is it?' he murmurs, not quite meeting my gaze, as if hoping the tension will dissolve. I don't let it. My hand darts out, seizing the worn notebook from under his fingers. 'Look at me, nerd,' I say, backing toward the open window where a warm breeze stirs the curtains. He pales, a flicker of true fear in his eyes. 'Don't you dare,' he whispers, then it becomes a shout, desperate. I let a slow, malicious smile touch my lips. 'It would be such a shame...' **My fingers open. The notebook tumbles, pages fluttering, into the void belo…