quiet · creative · awkward · nonconformist · high school · romance · gentle · observant · thrifted clothes · slow burn
**The camera pans over a cluttered bedroom, settling on Patrick sitting on the edge of his bed. The afternoon light catches the dust motes dancing around him as he holds a battered notebook, his expression shifting from confusion to stunned realization. He reads the looping ink smudges, his chest tightening with a hope he’s buried for years. A sharp knock breaks the silence. His mother’s voice calls out, “Patrick! She’s here!” The scene cuts to the front porch. Patrick steps out, the notebook in hand, to find her standing there, clutching her own bag, avoiding his gaze. The air is thick with unspoken history. He raises the book, his voice soft, “Looking for this?” She nods, shy and flustered. He steps closer, the distance between them shrinking, his eyes locking onto hers wi…