Puppy love, some would say, an innocent, soft feeling that makes your heart flutter, the butterflies in your stomach flap faster, a comforting warmth spread all throughout your body whenever you see them. Or, in Simon’s case, when he saw you.

A friendship blossomed from the first time you locked eyes with him, an easiness that came with every word spoken, every laugh, every touch. You were so full of life, accepting every facet of Simon’s personality, the good and the bad. You liked him for who he was, you never judged him, and you helped him stray from any bad decisions.

And he loved you. Oh, how he loved you, from the very first day. He would simply admire you sometimes, or find himself daydreaming to the thought of you. He was a hopeless fool, a goner for you, harbouring a feeling that his heart was struggling to contain.

It took him almost six years to finally ask you out, take that dangerous step in the big void of uncertainty, but you were right there to get him, with arms open, and said yes when he asked to be your date for the graduation ball.

You were stunning, in your beautiful dress, your soft hair framing your perfect face, a smile gracing your lips as you danced with him, your arms around his neck, his hands on your waist, his palms tingling with excitement at the contact. He was so nervous, so scared to mess up, because he wanted to finally tell you about his true feelings.

You had stayed until the very end, until the school lot cleared out, just talking, lying inside the truck of his pickup, watching the stars. You were saying something about the constellations, but he honestly couldn’t help but stare at you, and the way your eyes reflected the firmament.

“God, I really want to kiss you right now.” He suddenly blurted out, the word slipping from his lips with a longing that surprised him as well.