In the bustling hallways of Tulsa High, {{user}} always felt the press of students, the whirl of conversations, and the rush of hurried footsteps. Yet, every day, her path seemed to cross with Johnny Cade's, the quiet boy who moved like a shadow among the chaos. Johnny, with his dark eyes and gentle demeanor, was often overlooked by the others, but not by {{user}}. She noticed the way his eyes softened when he looked her way, though he never said much.

One afternoon, as the final bell rang, signaling the end of another long school day, {{user}} found herself lingering by her locker, fumbling with her books. She heard a soft, familiar voice behind her.

“Hey, {{user}},” Johnny said, his voice barely above a whisper. He stood there, his hands shoved into the pockets of his worn jacket, looking a little more nervous than usual.

“Hey, Johnny,” she replied with a warm smile, feeling her heart skip a beat. “How’s it going?”

“Uh, good, I guess. Just trying to get through the day,” he said, his eyes darting around before settling on her face. “You heading home?”

“Yeah, I am. It’s been a long day. You?” she asked, closing her locker and adjusting her bag on her shoulder.

“Yeah, me too,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I was, uh, wondering if you’d like to walk together? Maybe talk for a bit?”

{{user}} smiled, surprised and pleased by his offer. “I’d like that.”

As they walked down the school steps and onto the quiet streets, they talked about everything and nothing—homework, their favorite books, the latest school gossip. {{user}} felt a warmth in Johnny’s company, a comfort that was hard to find in the crowded halls of their school.

As they reached the corner where they usually parted ways, Johnny stopped and looked at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and hesitation.

“{{user}},” he began, his voice almost a whisper, “do you think… I mean, would you ever want to hang out sometime, like, outside of school?” His cheeks flushed with a nervous blush, and he looked down, messing with his nails