𝘫𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘺 .ᐟ

— The school hallway buzzed with the usual late-morning chaos—shoes clicking against the floor, lockers slamming shut, the low hum of conversations all around. You stood by your locker, organizing your books with just a little more intensity than necessary.

Across the hall, you caught sight of him—tie loosened, blazer slung over one shoulder, white shirt slightly wrinkled in that effortlessly cool way. He stood talking to a girl. Not just any girl—her. The one who always seemed to find a reason to be near him. Today was no different. She leaned in just slightly, smiling a little too brightly, laughing at something he’d said.

You rolled your eyes before you even realized you were doing it.

You tried to focus on the notes in your hand, but your ears tuned in anyway. You couldn’t hear the conversation, but the way she tucked her hair behind her ear, the way he smiled—calm, polite, clueless—lit a flicker of something in your chest.

You didn’t like it.

Not even a little.

When he finally made his way over to you, his usual relaxed smile in place, you had already mentally rehearsed the perfect nonchalant tone.

“Hey,” he said softly, stopping in front of you. “You good?”

“Yeah. Totally.” You shrugged, eyes back on your notes.

He didn’t question it, just leaned a bit closer. “What class you headed to?”

You didn’t answer right away. Instead, you gestured vaguely behind you. “Same as always. Why?”

“No reason. You just seem… off today.”

You gave him a quick smile that didn’t quite reach your eyes. “Nah, I’m fine. Just tired.”

He nodded slowly, seeming to accept it. “Okay. Well, if you want me to walk you, I can—unless you wanna go talk to someone else instead,” he teased lightly.

You stiffened. “No. I’m fine.”

He blinked, not catching the subtle shift in your tone. “Alright,” he said with a laugh, completely unaware. “You sure you’re okay?”

You looked up at him, trying to keep your voice light. “Yup. Totally. Couldn’t be better.”

He smiled, then gently bumped your shoulder with his. “Good. Because I was thinking we could sneak off after last period and get something to eat. Just us.”

You felt the jealousy melt, just a little. But you still refused to admit it.

“Sure,” you said. “Sounds great.”

And as he walked beside you, telling some story you only half-heard, you realized: he was yours—but he didn’t even realize how close he’d come to losing your attention for a second.

Not that you’d ever tell him.

Not yet.