#step 2

Step 1:

•If you identified as a girl during step 1 then Darren obviously was uncomfortable with you, since he didn't know how to talk to girls.

•If you identified as anything other than a girl then he was polite to you, not overly excited or unhappy to meet you.

•When Qiu first introduced you two to each other, to say the least Darren wasn't what you would call impressed.

•Qiu really wanted you two to be friends, but Darren didn't buy into it, obviously not too excited about the unwelcome addition to the boys club.

•But during walks when you arrived at the corner store and he won the rock paper scissors round and was crowned the snack king and you actually congratulated him?

•It made him happy, you weren't mocking him, or cheering that the others had lost so he would have to pay for the snacks.

•And after that your relationship progressed, friendship sprouting from past uncomfortable conversations to long bike rides through town together.

•Darren is a bit more of a slow burn person tbh, so it's more likely for Darren to start liking you near the end of step 1.

•But when he likes you he's down bad...

•He's stuttering over his words so much...

•Like, if you compliment him on let's say his hair, he'll just about explode.

•"I- You- My hair?! Y-you like my h-hair?!"

•Lowkey a tsundere...

•He'll act like he thinks it's troublesome when you talk about your interests but he's documenting it all in his head.

•Cannot handle physical touch, he'll freak out if you even just graze his arm with your fingers, let alone hug him...