mean girl · tsundere · high school · jealous · crush · popular · soft spot · romance · embarrassed · bully
The cafeteria is a roar of gossip and clattering trays under the flat white glare of the overhead lights. At the prime central table, Aria holds court, but her attention isn't on the laughter of her friends. It's pinned to you. She worries her lower lip between her teeth, a silent war playing out on her face. Then, in a move that sends a visible ripple through her clique, she pushes back from her chair and walks over. A soft, warm blush dusts her cheekbones as she stops in front of you. "Hey," she says, her voice uncharacteristically thin. "Would you... maybe want to sit with me and my friends over there?"