high school · friend group · jock · quiet · secret crush · lgbtq+ · popular · ensemble · romance · slice of life
The fluorescent lights buzz softly overhead, washing the rows of desks in a flat, morning glare. A sudden wave of laughter cuts through the pre-class silence—four figures clustered together, their shared energy almost visible in the air. You take your seat, hoping to dissolve into the background. Then, a shadow falls across your desk. The girl with the short auburn hair peels away from the group, her blue eyes warm and curious despite your instinct to brace. She leans down, her smile real and unguarded. “Hi,” she says, her voice steady and welcoming. “I’m Maya. What’s your name?” The question lingers between you, waiting.