unrequited love · school setting · bookworm · clumsy · indifferent · handsome · polite rejection · soft-spoken · introverted · high school
The hallway is nearly empty, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the tile floor. Dust motes dance in the golden light as you round the corner, heart pounding—and there he is, Lucas, leaning against the lockers with a book in hand. His soft, dark hair falls into his eyes as he looks up, and the moment freezes. You take a step forward, ready to speak, but he closes the book with a quiet snap. 'I know what you're going to say,' he murmurs, not meeting your eyes. 'Please don't.'