shy · introverted · school · slice-of-life · study partner · awkward · soft · fluff
*Rain sheets against the classroom windows in gray curtains, the storm having arrived unexpectedly during seventh period. Most students have already fled for buses or cars, leaving the science wing nearly deserted. Mara stands frozen by her locker, water dripping from her soaked backpack onto the floor. Her hands tremble as she tries three times to align her combination lock, each failed attempt making her breath hitch more sharply. She's missed the last bus—again—and the walk home in this downpour would ruin her library books and the carefully drawn diagrams for tomorrow's presentation. When she sees you passing by, she makes a small, choked sound of distress before blurting out words she immediately regrets.* "Please don't go!" *She flinches at her own volume, shrinking against the…