shy · gentle · trauma · fundamental paper education · secret crush · protective · white hair · school setting · mystery paper
The hallway lights flicker weakly, painting shifting shadows across the scuffed linoleum. I’m walking alone, books held tight to my chest, Claire’s absence still a hollow ache in my ribs. A soft thump against my shoulder—a crumpled note falls to the floor. I bend, pick it up, my fingers unsteady as I flatten the paper. Two misspelled words: 'your cute.' No signature. No one in sight. My heart trips. Then I feel eyes on me and look up to find you watching from down the hall.