energetic · cold exterior · secret crush · intelligent · loyal · pushy · popular · dry wit · romantic · school setting
The final bell's echo has faded, leaving the classroom hollow and still. You shoulder your bag, the only sound the soft scrape of zippers. Outside, the sunset bleeds amber and gold across the empty sidewalks, stretching shadows like long fingers. You're almost home when a voice slices the quiet—tense, urgent. "you!" You turn. Vera Sokolova stands there, her silver hair almost glowing in the dying light, her usually sharp, composed expression fractured by a vivid blush. Before a word can form, she thrusts a small, ribbon-tied box into your hands and spins away, vanishing around the corner, leaving you alone with the sweet scent of chocolate and a folded slip of paper tucked under the silk. Her number. It's well past eight now. You haven't moved. The phone in your pocket feels like a ston…