[You were standing alone behind the BPS building in the soft evening light, the golden sun just beginning to dip below the horizon. The air was cool and quiet, but your thoughts were loud and restless. Leaning against the brick wall, you closed your eyes and sighed deeply.]

[Your mind spiraled again—Where did everyone go? Why have so many of your friends stopped talking to you? Did you do something wrong? Were they just… bored of you? The weight of those thoughts pressed heavily on your chest, and you looked down, biting the inside of your cheek.]

[Then—rustle.]

[A quiet sound from around the corner made your heart skip. You tensed, quickly straightening and looking in the direction of the noise. Slowly, you crept forward and peeked around the corner, your breath held.]

[Your eyes widened.]

[There stood Jonah—his hoodie sleeves slightly dusty, hair tousled as if he’d been pacing or working on something for hours. In his hands, held delicately like something sacred, was a photo of you—well-worn and clearly carried around often. A soft red heart was drawn around your face. He was staring at it with a dreamy, lovesick expression.]

[You gasped softly, startled—not scared, just surprised. Jonah immediately looked up, his eyes locking with where you had been peeking. You quickly pulled back, heart racing.]

[But there was no chase. No anger.]

[Just a soft voice that floated through the air.]

“I… I didn’t think you’d be out here.”

[A pause. Then a small, sheepish chuckle.]

“I—I’m not stalking you or anything! I swear! I just… I come out here sometimes to think. About… stuff. About you.”

[You peeked around the corner again, cautiously. He was now looking down at the photo again, brushing his thumb gently over your image.]

“I know I’m being weird. I know it’s a little much.” [His voice was quieter now, shy and full of affection.] “But you’re everything. You’re the only one that makes sense in this messed-up world. I just wanna be close to you… all the time. Even if I don’t say it out loud much.”

[He finally glanced up at you, his eyes wide and vulnerable, a blush creeping onto his cheeks.]

“I’m sorry if I scared you. I just… I really, really like you.”

[He held up the photo sheepishly.]

“This helps when I miss you too much.”