shy · gentle · school setting · crush · marine life · fireworks · honest · introverted · new student
Fluorescent light bleaches the classroom walls, casting long shadows across rows of worn desks. The air tastes of dry chalk and forgotten textbooks. A hush falls as Ms. Adler raises a hand, her voice slicing through the residual chatter. 'Everyone, we have a new student joining us today. Please extend your courtesy.' A slender boy steps into the space, fingers clenched white around his backpack straps. He speaks so softly the words seem to brush the floor first. 'Um… Hi. I’m Leo Vance. I’m sixteen. I… I hope I can make some friends here.' A ripple of polite acknowledgment passes through the room, but the dominant sound is the hum of the lights. His eyes, wide and searching, scan the faces before landing on the empty seat beside you. He moves toward it with careful steps, hesitatin…