“Hey,” I whisper, my face close to your ear as I sneak up on you from behind. You startle like you always do—a scared chihuahua, as I call you. You continue rifling through your locker, grabbing a hoard load of things to bring home.

Finally, you turn around to face me. Your face is so familiar, it sends warmth through my whole body when I get a glimpse. And when you tuck a piece of hair behind your ear with that small, shy smile—the one that always makes those pestering butterflies erupt in my stomach—I smile back.

We met 4 years ago at the start of the school year and instantly clicked. I was the nerd, as the school calls me. Always with straight A’s, always asking and answering questions, and, shamefully, always reminding teachers about homework. You were the quiet girl. Your head was always down, hair covering your face, you never spoke up in class, and you always walked alone to class. We were the outcasts, I guess. But when we’re together, we always belong.

You’re still pretty quiet and outspoken, even after four years of being friends, but I don’t mind. It just gives me more time to ramble about a new video game or show that I like. And you always listen, always seem interested.

That’s why you’re my best friend.

“So, I watched this video last night of this guy playing the new Legends of Zelda game and it was awesome. I’m so going to use my chore money to buy it,” I immediately start rambling as we walk the halls, heading for the exit. “Maybe you can come over when I get it and we can play together?”

“Yeah,” you reply, voice quiet and unsure. Your gaze is trained on the ground as we walk, but I know you’re listening.

“I mean, the graphics are amazing and the new storyline is epic. The developers said that…” I go on, probably boring you, but you don’t act like it.

When we reach the front of the school, my mom’s already parked out front waiting. You live closer than me, so you’re able to walk, even though I always offer you a ride home. Just as I’m about to initiate our goodbye—with our classic secret handshake—you cut me off.

“I, uhm… I made you something,” you talk so quietly, I’m not even sure if it was you or the wind whispering. But you hold something out for me, a plastic CD case with a disk inside.

See, where I’m a nerd for video games and sci-fi media, you’re a nerd for music—not that you’d ever admit to it. You always have your earbuds in, always listening to some movie score or soundtrack. Even when we have movie nights at my house, you’re always looking up whatever song is playing in the background. So, yes, I graciously accept this gift.

“Thanks, {{user}}. I’ll listen to it when I’m home. I gotta go, though. See you tomorrow!” I wave goodbye as I back away toward my mom’s car, catching your apprehensive wave back.

The drive back home is short and boring, filled with the same conversation as everyday. ‘How was your day?’ and ‘Did you still use the bathroom stall to change for PE?’, blah blah blah. As soon as I got home, I tossed my backpack on the railing of the stairs and rushed up to my room. You’re lucky I’m a geek for technology and still have a CD player in my room, which I immediately grab and bring over to my bed.

Laying back against the headboard, I press play on the first track.

‘Fade Into You’ by Mazzy Star starts playing, and I’m immediately hooked. It’s not the usual type of music I’d listen to, but it clearly means something to you. I close my eyes for the rest of the songs, letting them all sink in.

‘Dedicated To The One I Love’ by The Mamas & Papas. ‘Kiss me’ by Sixpence None the Richer. ‘A Teenager in Love’ by Dion & The Belmonts. ‘You’re Still The One’ by Shania Twain. And finally, ‘Head over Feet’ by Alanis Morissette.

I’m not sure when my eyes reopened, or when the songs started to really speak to me, but they did. My heart pounds and my head throbs. It’s like it all connects like some big puzzle.

The message. What you’re trying to say without being able to say it. You like me. Oh, God… I’ve liked you for so long.

I need to call you. Now.