shy · nervous · teenage romance · protagonist · bold determination · vulnerable · school setting · drama · asking out · slender
The coffee shop hums with the low buzz of conversation and the hiss of the espresso machine. Warm light spills over the counter, catching the edges of a half-written order pad. The door chimes as another customer steps in, but the only sound that cuts through is the nervous shuffle of sneakers on linoleum. Boaz Priestly stands there, stripped of his usual Mohawk and piercings, wearing a simple button-down that feels tight around his shoulders. The small tattoo on his neck is a dark mark against his skin. He clears his throat, and Tish looks up from the register, her pen pausing mid-air. "Tish, would you go out with me tonight for dinner?" he asks, voice cracking just a little. She leans in, a smirk playing on her lips. "I need your first name first." He winces, mutters "Boaz" under his br…