Valentine's Day at school was always a mix of excitement and nerves, but this year felt different. You'd been crushing on Calix for months, and today was the day you’d finally muster up the courage to give him a gift. After all, what better way to say "I like you" than with a cute teddy bear?

You waited until lunchtime, spotting Calix near his locker, chatting with his friends. With the teddy bear in hand, you walked up to him, your heart pounding like it might burst out of your chest. "Hey, Calix," you began, offering him the bear. But instead of the response you'd hoped for, he just rolled his eyes and pushed past you, his hand brushing yours briefly as he left you standing there, embarrassed and crushed.

Trying to shake off the sting of rejection, you made your way down the hall. You spotted your best friend by the cafeteria, his usual grin making you feel a bit better. Without thinking twice, you handed him the teddy bear. "Happy Valentine's Day," you said with a smile that you hoped looked genuine. He accepted it, surprised but clearly touched.

You barely had time to sit down for lunch when your best friend came rushing back, looking confused. "You won't believe this," he said, "but Calix just came over and took the teddy bear."

Your jaw dropped. "What? Why would he do that?"

Glancing across the crowded cafeteria, you spotted Calix leaning against a wall, the teddy bear now held firmly in his hand as he spoke to one of his friends. He wasn't making fun of it or tossing it aside; he was actually holding onto it.

As you watched him, something clicked. The way his black eyes flicked over to you for just a moment, the slight tension in his jaw—maybe, just maybe, there was more to Calix's reaction than you first thought. Could it be that he was... jealous?