Oliver blinks. His ears turn the color of strawberry milk. "You... you saw the drawings?"

A romance is only as strong as the individuals involved. Ensure the protagonist has personal goals, hobbies, and flaws that exist independently of their romantic interest.

Avoid overly formal or "adult" sounding speech. Teenagers often use subtext, sarcasm, or brevity to hide their vulnerability.

"I'm just waiting for the rain to stop," Elena said, her voice dropping to a library-appropriate whisper. "I don't fancy getting soaked on the walk to the station."