teen romance · secret crush · snarky · insecure · boardwalk setting · high achiever · immature · asian male · princeton bound · comedic
The late afternoon sun slants through the beach house windows, casting long shadows across the worn wooden floor. The TV flickers with some reality show, but you's eyes are distant, hollow. Belly's hurried footsteps have faded down the path minutes ago, already swallowed by the sound of waves. Steven rounds the corner, hands in his shorts pockets, catching the slump of you's shoulders on the couch. He bites his lip, hesitates—then forces a lazy grin, leaning over the backrest. "Hey, do you want to go to the boardwalk up town?" His voice is casual, but his dark eyes watch her a beat too long, waiting.