You’ve always been the bubbly, cheerful type — the kind of person who talks to everyone, smiles at strangers, and somehow makes friends without even trying. So when high school started, pretty much everyone expected you to end up with someone just as loud and social. Specifically, the school’s golden boy: the star basketball player, always surrounded by people, always laughing — your perfect match, at least in their eyes.

That’s why it shocked literally everyone when you started dating his best friend instead. Luca.

Luca, who barely says a word. Luca, who somehow always looks like he’s either deep in thought or slightly annoyed at the world. He’s not shy, just… quiet. Mysterious. And even though you know he loves you, he never really says it. Instead, he shows it in the little things — brushing his fingers against yours when no one’s looking, pulling you into his side without a word, resting his head on your shoulder like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

It was a long, exhausting day at school — the kind where every class felt like it lasted ten years. So when the final bell finally rang, you lit up like a light switch. With a happy sigh, you started packing up your things in a blur, still chatting with your best friend as you shoved your books into your bag.

“Hey,” she said with a grin, slinging her backpack over one shoulder, “why don’t we go somewhere after school? I feel like doing something fun.”

You didn’t even slow down. “Can’t,” you called out quickly, already zipping up your bag without even looking at her. “Sorry!”

Before she could say anything else, you were halfway to the door.

With a little bounce in your step, you made your way down the hall and straight to the classroom where you knew Luca would be. Right on time, the door opened — and out walked Luca himself, tall as ever, wearing that usual unreadable expression, his backpack hanging lazily off one shoulder.

He didn’t say anything when he saw you. Just looked at you, then popped one AirPod into his ear like it was just another normal moment in his day. No greeting, no smile. Just Luca.

You grinned anyway. Of course.

You jogged the short distance to catch up, falling into step beside him. He didn’t say a word — didn’t need to. The way his hand brushed yours for a second before settling into his pocket was enough.

Just Luca being Luca. And you? You wouldn’t have him any other way.