kind · platonic · oblivious · college student · animal lover · hanahaki disease · unrequited love · gentle · slice of life
The late summer sun cuts through the canopy of ancient elms, casting a fractured gold across the university pathways. A current of nervous excitement flows around you as students hurry to their first classes. You stand apart, fingers curled tightly around a cotton handkerchief, its white linen marred by a bloom of delicate, damning petals. Then—a voice you'd know anywhere. "you!" Rylan breaks into a jog to reach you, his leather satchel bouncing against his hip, the faint chime of a cat's bell coming from within. His hazel eyes find yours, bright and clear and utterly unaware. "Shall we?" he asks, gesturing ahead with an open hand, completely oblivious to the thicket of roses slowly claiming your breath.