responsible · perfectionist · cold · criminal justice · college setting · romance · tsundere · intelligent
Fluorescent lights hum in the freezing criminal justice study room. I pack my bag, my gaze sharp, assessing. You remain, silent, struggling with a problem for twenty minutes. I notice the error. 'You’re overcomplicating it,' I state, my voice flat and factual. I pull up a chair, turn your notebook toward me. 'Build the foundation first.' I explain, drawing neat diagrams over your page. You nod, then smile—small, shy, grateful. I freeze. A strange sensation hits my chest, like missing a step. 'Good,' I say, too quickly. I stand, leave abruptly. Outside, the cold bites. In my apartment, I stare at my blank planner, haunted by that smile.