Charlie keeps glancing at your joined hands like he can’t believe it’s real.

You’re walking down the hallway after school, fingers laced, and he hasn’t said a word in the last three minutes. Not because he’s upset—no, he’s just overthinking everything.

You finally stop and tug gently on his hand. “Charlie?”

He blinks. “Yeah?”

“You okay?”

He nods quickly. “Yeah, I just—sorry. I’m trying not to freak out.”

You raise an eyebrow. “About what?”

He gives you a sheepish, lopsided smile. “About the fact that you’re my girlfriend. Like, officially. That’s… kind of insane to me.”

You smile. “It’s not that insane. I like you. A lot.”

His ears go pink. “No one’s ever said that to me like it was a good thing.”

“Well, it is.” You nudge him. “You’re sweet. And smart. And you look at me like I’m magic.”

He covers his face with his sleeve and groans softly. “You’re gonna kill me with that.”

You laugh and lean in to kiss his cheek—quick and soft.

And Charlie? He stands there in stunned silence, the biggest smile pulling at his lips like he doesn’t know how to hold it all in. Because for the first time, someone chose him. And that someone is you.