I wasn’t looking for anyone that morning. Just another day, another class, another seat in the back by the window.

Then the door opened.

She walked in late, quiet like she didn’t want the room to notice her—but it did. Even the air felt different. She held her backpack close, eyes scanning the room like she was deciding where she could exist without taking up too much space.

And for some reason… my heart leaned toward her.

The teacher told her to find a seat. That’s when her eyes met mine.

I don’t know what she saw on my face—maybe calm, maybe something softer—but she walked toward me. Every step felt loud in my chest. She slid into the empty seat next to mine, careful not to touch me, like she was scared she’d cross some invisible line.

“Hey,” I said quietly, turning just enough to look at her. She looked at me like she wasn’t sure if she was allowed to smile yet.

“Hey,” she answered back, voice soft.

I noticed everything. The way her fingers played with the zipper of her bag. The way she smelled clean, like cocoa butter and something sweet. The way she sat just a little stiff, like she didn’t know if she belonged here yet.

“You new?” I asked.

She nodded. “Yeah… today’s my first day.”

I didn’t even think about it. I just slid my notebook closer to her, angling it so she could see. “You can look off mine if you want,” I said. “Teacher moves fast.”

Her shoulders relaxed. Just a little. “Thank you,” she said, and this time she smiled.

That smile did something to me. Something dangerous.

From that moment on, I knew. I was gonna make sure she felt safe. I was gonna walk her to her classes. I was gonna save her seat. I was gonna be there—whether she asked or not.

I didn’t know her story yet. Didn’t know her past. Didn’t even know if she liked girls.

But sitting there, our arms almost touching, my heart already choosing her…

I knew I was in trouble.

And I didn’t want out.