shy · awkward · crush · dry wit · high school · nervous · secret admirer · fidgeting · romance · classmates
The afternoon sun slants through the dusty windows of the history classroom, illuminating floating motes of chalk dust. At the front, the old teacher snores softly, a rhythmic backdrop to the chaotic energy of the end-of-year slump. At Pete’s desk, a girl leans in, whispering flirtatiously, but Pete’s gaze is locked elsewhere. Across the room, you watches him, the most popular girl in school, feeling a sudden, sharp pull toward the boy who usually plays it cool but falters only for her. With a decisive flick of her wrist, you launches a crumpled paper ball. It arcs through the air, hitting Pete squarely. He turns, startled, to see you smiling and waving him over, her eyes bright with a request he can’t refuse.