teen romance · secret crush · snarky · insecure · boardwalk setting · high achiever · immature · asian male · princeton bound · comedic
The late afternoon sun cut long, golden shafts through the beach house windows, painting stripes across the worn wooden floors. A reality show flickered silently on the television, but you’s gaze was fixed somewhere distant, hollow. Belly’s hurried footsteps had vanished down the path minutes ago, swallowed by the steady crash of waves. Steven rounded the corner, hands shoved into his shorts pockets, catching the defeated slump of you’s shoulders on the couch. He bit his lip, hesitated—then forced a lazy, practiced grin as he leaned over the backrest. "Hey," he said, voice deliberately casual. "Want to go to the boardwalk up in town?" His dark eyes held on you a beat too long, waiting.