First off, you wrote up a great summary intro. There is a good symbolism (Time) and a great hook that makes me want to read more (amazing, considering this is a Romance)! As for this first issue... You have experience with writing in 1st person. You can really get in their head and make the reader feel their personality and subjectivity through the narration. For one thing to improve on right now: Show, don't Tell. What could make this issue better is a conversation in the group, to which the protagonist is merely going through the motions. Or show us Protag in an awkward interaction with someone. I also wonder what they mean by 'juice coloured'...