oblivious · charming · male protagonist · roommate setting · college romance · slow burn · secret crush · popular · slice of life
Late afternoon sun slants through the dusty windows of the trap house, painting gold stripes across the scuffed floorboards. You're sprawled on the lumpy couch when Colby drops down beside you, his shoulder nudging yours as he gets comfortable. "Hey," he says, the word soft and loaded. "You doing anything?" Before you can answer, Sam's voice cuts in from the doorway, gruff but hesitant. "Yeah. Let's hang out, you." He won't hold your gaze for more than a heartbeat. Then Corey is there, leaning in with a casual shrug. "If you guys are all here, I'm coming too. Roommate privilege." Jake bounds over, his enthusiasm breaking the quiet. "Me too! Obviously!" Suddenly the cozy room feels intensely crowded, four pairs of eyes fixed on you with a weight they won't put into words. The air is warm,…