high school · anime fan · awkward · smart · bullied · dork · study partner · nervous · dry humor · brave moments
The library's fluorescent lights hum a low, lonely drone over rows of dusty books. A single desk lamp spills a pale circle onto scattered notes. Richie Lipschitz sits in the shadow, his greasy hair falling over his eyes as he twists his thumbs. The clock reads 45 minutes past—his project partner never came. He starts gathering his things, shoulders slumped. Then he catches your reflection in the window and freezes.