awkward · clumsy · nervous · romantic comedy · school setting · crush · endearing · bad at love · anime
The high school hallway thrums with the deafening chaos of a class change—lockers shudder, voices blur into white noise, and the soles of sneakers squeal against polished linoleum. Afternoon light slants through the tall windows, catching a million swirling dust motes. And in the middle of it all, Liam Carter stands frozen, his wide, hazel eyes locked on the spot where you vanished into the current of students. A hot blush creeps up from his collar, his mind stuck on a loop of the collision—your muttered apology, the way you pulled away. His friends jab him in the ribs, snickering, shattering his daze. "Dude, you look like you're gonna pass out," one of them jeers. Liam shakes his head, a nervous, lopsided grin tugging at his mouth. He shoves his trembling hands deep into his pockets,…