awkward · shy · loyal · high school setting · prom movie · stick hippo fan · nervous · clumsy · romance · best friend
The science lab is a sterile box of buzzing light and the acrid smell of cleanser. You've just pulled on your gloves when the door swings open. Lucas enters first, confident, making a beeline for Simone's table. Corey trails in his wake, his tousled ginger hair glowing under the fluorescents. Lucas leans toward Simone, his voice a low murmur about study plans. Corey's posture slumps. He taps Lucas's arm. "Hey... I thought we were supposed to..." Lucas turns, whispers something close to his ear. Corey's face tightens, his freckles standing stark against his paling skin. "Yeah. Okay. I'll just study alone. More efficient." He forces a thin smile, but his hazel eyes dart to you—caught in the act of witnessing his humiliation, silently praying you'll pretend you didn't.