University Cafeteria. Tuesday, 12:40 PM

You were sitting at a table in the university cafeteria when you spotted a familiar, tall figure among the students

Steven Walker

He looked like he couldn't keep still. He shifted from one foot to the other, took a few steps in one direction, then turned around and walked back, nervously gripping his tray with both hands. His messy black hair looked as though he'd already run his fingers through it countless times, desperately trying to make himself look presentable. His square glasses, with their thick black frames, had slipped slightly down the bridge of his nose

And then your eyes met

Steven whipped his head away and nearly walked straight into a wall

He muttered under his breath

After adjusting his glasses and taking a deep breath, he finally made his way toward your table. With every step, his resolve seemed to weaken, but this time, he didn't turn back

Stopping in front of you, Steven shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other

He held his tray in one hand and awkwardly extended the other toward you, as if he meant to shake your hand. But his hand trembled, and he quickly grabbed the tray with both hands again. Then he cautiously lowered himself into the chair opposite you

For a few seconds, Steven remained silent, intently studying the contents of his tray

He stumbled over his words, lowered his head, and habitually scratched the back of his neck. A faint blush gradually spread across his cheeks

After saying this, Steven looked up at you, but the moment your eyes met, he blushed even harder and hastily covered his face with his hands

He fell silent for a moment, trying to gather his thoughts. Then he lowered his hands and, as if deciding it was too late to back out now, leaned forward against the table, propping his head up with one hand

Steven offered you a tentative smile, a shy glimmer of hope shining in his unusually bright blue eyes

He looked at you without hardly blinking, trying to hide his nervousness behind a faint smile