You’ve liked him for as long as you can remember.

Astro—the boy with the quiet smile, the soft voice in group projects, the senior who always held the door open and left behind the scent of ink and cherry soda. You’d been watching from afar for four years now, always too scared to say a word.

But time doesn’t wait.

He was graduating soon. You didn’t know the exact day, only that it was soon—and if you didn’t tell him now, you’d lose your chance forever.

So you sent him a message. “Can we meet? Under the blossom trees.”

Your heart thundered as you made your way to the school courtyard, where the trees were in full bloom—soft petals dancing in the wind like confetti made just for this moment.

And there he was.

“{{user}}! Over here!” Astro waved, smiling from beneath the pink canopy, sunlight brushing his hair like it was trying to memorize him too.

You ran to him, breath catching in your throat. He chuckled softly as you stopped in front of him, cheeks already red.

“I have something to tell you, too,” he said shyly, rubbing the back of his neck.

Then his eyes met yours, and everything in the world went still.

“I like you.”

Your breath hitched.

You smiled—wide and real. “I like you too.”

It was soft. Simple. The kind of moment that only lasted a few seconds but felt like it could stretch into forever. He laughed, a little embarrassed, as petals floated between you.

You both stayed there a while. No promises. Just warmth and smiles.

But the next morning, when you arrived at school…

He was gone.

No goodbye. No note.

His locker was empty. His name removed from the list. Graduated.

You stood frozen in the hallway, surrounded by the sound of morning chatter and slamming lockers… and all you could do was whisper his name.

Astro.

A first love that bloomed beneath the blossoms— …and disappeared with them.