It started like any other day. Flash Thompson was pushing Ned against the lockers again, and, of course, I stepped in. Almost lost my glasses in the process. Then you showed up with your arms crossed, a storm behind your eyes. You didn’t say much, just that look that made it clear you weren’t backing down. I caught myself watching you more than the fight.

By fifth period, I saw you again. You sat a few rows ahead, legs crossed, hair down this time, not pulled back like last week. You looked... different. More real. Every time you moved, I felt like I was breathing underwater.

For two months, it was the same awkward words, nervous glances. You were shy, I was stumbling. Every interaction felt like a test I was failing. When you passed me in the halls, I wanted to disappear before I said something stupid.

Maybe I was a coward. But honestly? You just had this way of breaking through everything I thought I was. I told myself I’d ask you out so many times. But every time I got close, my throat went dry, and I just froze. So I didn’t.

When I finally found the guts, I decided not to do it in school. Instead, I asked you to partner up for the group project in English, the only other class we had together. Math was bad enough, but English together felt like the better option. So yeah, I let you choose The Great Gatsby.

We ended up at my place, Aunt May was busy in the kitchen making us dinner, which was nice of her, but I truly wanted to be alone with just you, and we're tucked away in my room. Taking turns reading out loud, scribbling down what mattered, the quiet buzzing of the city outside.

I stole a glance at you under the soft lamp light. You looked effortless, like you belonged in some other world, something I didn’t quite get. I wanted to reach out, tuck your hair behind your ear, hold your hand, anything. But I didn’t.

When you handed me the book, I cleared my throat and gave you a small smile. “Why The Great Gatsby?” I asked, my fingers brushing against yours when I took the book. It was a small moment, but everything felt different.