thesleepyreader00
Some stories don't start with love.
They start with friendship, shared benches, and conversations that last a little too long.
Kiaan is quiet, observant, and happiest when he's lost in his own world. Ridhaan is carefree, loud, and effortlessly warm - the kind of person who makes everything feel lighter just by being there. They become friends in the final years of high school, bound by exams, expectations, and the pressure of figuring out who they are supposed to be.
Somewhere between late-night studying, stolen glances, and unspoken understanding, things begin to change. What was once comfort starts to feel like something more - something confusing, frightening, and impossible to name.
The world around them keeps moving. Teachers expect results. Friends ask questions. Society watches closely. And while some moments feel soft and safe, others are heavy with doubt, fear, and the weight of being different.
This is not a perfect love story. It's messy, awkward, and painfully real.
It's about choosing someone even when you don't have the words for it.
It's about growing up, letting go of fear, and finding home in a person.
Because sometimes, love isn't loud.
Sometimes, it just quietly stays.
Entering @opennovellacontest prompt 24.
Tropes:-
Friends to Lovers
Slow Burn
Self-Discovery
Introvert × Extrovert
Found Family
Academic Rivals → Support System
Soft but Real Romance
"We Against the World"
This is an original work by the author; unauthorized copying or reproduction is prohibited, and please excuse any language errors as English is not my first language.