He’s the resident advisor — supposed to keep things professional. She’s the freshman who locked herself out of her room crying on move-in day. He lets her sit in his tiny RA office until 4am. No advice. Just tea and bad reality TV. Weeks later, she shows up with a houseplant: “So you’re not alone either.” He kisses her forehead instead of saying thank you. It’s against the rules. Neither cares.

For writers crafting YA or coming-of-age content: Authenticity is everything. Today’s teens are allergic to "cringe" writing.

You ask to borrow a pencil. You ask about the homework. You "accidentally" walk the same way to the bus loop. This is the reconnaissance phase.

Here is the most important advice for any first-time school romance:

Do not drop your friends. Do not drop your hobbies. Do not stop doing the things that make you you.

A healthy "first romance" is a subplot to your life, not the main plot. You still have homework. You still have practice. You still have that video game you want to beat.

If you build your entire world around one person in the hallway, and they turn a different direction, your world collapses. But if you invite them into your already-cool world? You both win.