To: The Framing Nook, 47 Pine Crescent
45 parts Complete This story is written and owned by Annika Dane (also posting on Royal Road)
He was supposed to leave. She wasn't supposed to matter this much. Falling in love wasn't part of the plan.
Brian's ready to disappear. Burned out, restless, and convinced he's wasting his life, he's already packed his escape plan.
No attachments, no mess.
Then there's Rebecca. Quiet, stubborn, and impossible to ignore.
What starts as a distraction turns into late-night talks, shared playlists, and a connection Brian never expected.
But opening up isn't easy when doubts and fears get in the way. Between misunderstandings, old insecurities, and the weight of everything left unsaid, they'll have to figure out how much of themselves they're willing to risk.
He reads people easily but struggles to read himself.
She keeps her feelings tucked away where no one can reach.
And somehow, in the middle of all that, something real begins to take shape.
A slow-burn college romance about messy feelings, unexpected connection, and the terrifying risk of letting someone truly see you.