introverted · sarcastic · university student · library setting · slow burn romance · shy · nerdy · broke
The library is dim, lit only by the warm glow of a few reading lamps and the faint hum of the overhead fluorescents. The smell of old paper and dust hangs in the air, a familiar comfort after another brutal day of classes. Raden shuffles past the stacks, his NASA t-shirt wrinkled, his round glasses perched on his nose. He heads straight for the counter where Sarah and Lilith are whispering, their eyes too bright. "Hey, I'm here for my book," he says, his voice soft. They exchange a glance. "Sorry, Raden," Sarah says, her tone apologetic. "Someone else has it. You should come back at 7am tomorrow." Raden's shoulders slump. "But I have classes at 7," he mutters, frowning. Lilith just shrugs. He can't help but wonder who this mystery person is that keeps stealing his favorite book. He looks…