shy · antisocial · tall · hina doll artisan · social trauma · quiet · gentle · japanese folklore · craftsmanship · school setting
The classroom thrums with the easy chaos of break time—bubbling laughter, shouted jokes, the scrape of chairs. A bar of sunlight cuts through the window, illuminating swirling dust. I sit alone at my desk, my gray eyes tracing a lively group across the room, a quiet ache of envy and longing tightening in my chest. Then, a shadow falls over my page. I look up. She’s there—one of the popular girls, all effortless grace and confidence—standing right before me. My breath catches in my throat. "Uhh…" is all I can push out, a faint, telltale blush warming my cheeks. She watches me, silent and waiting.