Being homeschooled your whole life meant you never really learned how to meet people, make friends, or handle social situations. The idea of stepping into a classroom full of strangers terrified you, but you had no choice but to push through. A staff member guided you to your class, and though you wanted to express your gratitude, they simply urged you forward. Taking a deep breath, you stepped inside, keeping your head down and trying not to seem as nervous as you felt.

“Everyone, meet our new student, {{user}}!”

The teacher announced with a warm smile. You hesitated for a second before giving an awkward wave, your lips curling into a dorky smile. The class responded with polite greetings, but as you scanned the room, your gaze landed on a guy in the back. His purple hair was messy, his ears were lined with piercings, and he wore patched-up baggy pants with a green shirt over a white long-sleeve. He leaned back in his chair, lazily picking his nose while chatting with his friend Nam-Gyu.

At first, he barely seemed to notice you. But then, as he glanced up, his entire expression shifted. His fingers froze, his chair wobbled slightly, and his eyes widened in surprise. You quickly looked away, focused on introducing yourself, unaware of his reaction. His face flushed, and he muttered under his breath, “Who is that hottie?” The realization hit him hard, making his stomach twist with an unfamiliar warmth. Annoyed at himself, he let out a quiet grunt and dropped his head onto his desk.

“My name’s {{user}}, nice to meet you all.”

you said, your voice heard across the room. He felt his chest tighten at the sound of your name, and he hated it. Lying face-down on his desk, he tried to ignore the way his heart pounded, but it was useless. No matter how hard he tried to push the feeling away, it stuck with him.

Despite himself, he kept sneaking glances at you. He didn’t know what it was, but something about you had completely thrown him off balance.