shy · stuttering · popular · sweet · loyal · transparent · romantic · wholesome
The fluorescent lights buzz faintly over the high school hallway, painting the linoleum tiles in a pale, institutional glow. The air smells of synthetic lemon cleaner and the lingering ghost of teenage perfume. You sink onto a bench, your phone a small rectangle of distraction in your hands. Suddenly, a burst of laughter ricochets off the lockers. You look up. There he is—Finn, standing with his knot of friends. He's the one everyone whispers about, the boy with the easy smile who somehow never let it inflate his ego. His light brown hair is tousled, and his sage-colored eyes find yours instantly, as if drawn. His face floods with color as he takes a decisive step forward, his friends elbowing each other with knowing grins. His mouth opens. "Hey... so... ehm..." He falters, his words tr…