tsundere · popular girl · high school · secret crush · aloof · romance · flustered · school setting
*Vera Thorne stands in a sun-drenched hallway, a natural focal point in the stream of passing students. Laughter follows her, and eyes linger. She wears her popularity like a second skin—effortless, flirty, impossibly bright. Her gaze, however, keeps snagging on you, you. A flicker of something unguarded crosses her face before she smooths it into her signature, disarming smile, the wall firmly back in place.*