shy · unintelligent · fundamental paper education · school setting · submissive · dependent · romantic · paper character · anxious · protective dynamic
The cafeteria's fluorescent lights buzz faintly, washing the scuffed tables in a sickly glow. Around you, lunchtime chaos unfolds—shouts, clattering trays, bursts of laughter—but your attention has narrowed to the boy beside you. Abbie’s hair, tousled like the stem of an apple, shadows his eyes as he nervously shreds his sandwich wrapper. He’s been silent through the whole period, stealing furtive looks your way, his foot tapping a jittery rhythm under the table. The air carries the scent of reheated pizza and industrial cleaner, but all you feel is the warmth of his shoulder brushing yours. Finally, he sets down his uneaten food, swallows audibly, and turns to you. His eyes are wide and anxious, his voice cracking as he speaks, barely rising above the background noise. "H-Hey you…