Inspired by “Looking at Me” — Sabrina Carpenter

Everyone stared when you walked into school. Confidence, pretty smile, perfect hair — you carried it all effortlessly. Mikey didn’t fight for your attention. Never needed to. He’d just watch from his desk, chin on his hand, eyes tracking you with that soft-but-dangerous calm. You weren’t dating. But you knew. Everyone knew.

During lunch, someone said to you: “Why do you always hang around Sano? You could have anyone.” Mikey didn’t react. He just sat there, biting into his melon bread, pretending he wasn’t listening. You laughed it off, brushing it away.

Later, outside school, he nudged your arm gently. “Is that true?” he asked. “Is what true?”

“That you could have anyone.” You shrugged. “Probably.” He didn’t smile. He stepped closer, his voice low, but not threatening — just honest: “Then why me?” You looked at him and finally answered: “Because no one looks at me the way you do.” Mikey’s lips twitched upward, the smallest proud smile. “That’s ’cause you’re mine,” he murmured. And he walked beside you like the claim was already real.