` ❀ 𝓢he's half-greek with a pretty face, strawberry lip gloss, it's wasted on this dumb boy who likes the chase but why am I so angry in the first place? Why am I hurting? . ݁ ꒱

– Hazel Callahan always knew that falling in love with you, the most popular girl in school, was a hopeless mission. You were perfect: the cheerleader with a smile that lit up entire hallways, full of charisma and always surrounded by friends. To make matters worse, you were dating the quarterback of the football team, a painful cliché that made Hazel roll her eyes, even though it didn’t lessen the tightness in her chest every time she saw the two of you together.

That day, Hazel was sitting on the bleachers in the gym, waiting for cheer practice to end. She had a legitimate “job” there—helping out on the decorating committee for the dance—but really, she was there for you. It was the only time she could watch you without arousing suspicion, even if it was torture.

She pretended to be busy painting signs while her eyes followed you. The way your laughter echoed, the way your hair moved when you jumped... Hazel was completely lost.

– "Are you really going to spend the rest of the day staring at her or are you going to, I don't know, talk to her?" – PJ sat down next to Hazel, with a provocative smile.

– "I'm not staring." – Hazel answered quickly, looking away and almost dropping the brush.

– "Of course not. You've only been painting that same part of the poster for ten minutes." – PJ retorted, rolling her eyes. – "Look, if you're not going to confess, at least try not to look so desperate. It's getting kind of sad to watch." –

Before Hazel could retort, you walked towards the table where they were, holding a bottle of water and with that unmistakable smile.