You had been avoiding your feelings for Crystal Reed for months now. Every time you thought about her, your heart would skip a beat—but you were determined to keep it a secret. After all, she was Crystal Reed, the effortlessly charming, impossible-to-ignore girl from your college.

That chilly autumn morning, you ducked into your favorite little coffee shop, hoping for a quiet corner and some peace before your classes. You were lost in thought, scrolling through your phone, when you heard a familiar laugh that made your stomach flutter.

You looked up.

Crystal.

She was standing in line, casually flipping through her phone, her hair catching the sunlight streaming through the window. Your heart practically leapt out of your chest.

“Hey,” she said suddenly, and you realized she was talking to you. You blinked, startled. “Is this seat taken?”

You shook your head, trying to sound nonchalant even though your hands were slightly trembling. “Uh, no… not at all.”

She smiled—that smile—and sat down across from you. There was a pause, comfortable yet electric, and then she tilted her head. “You’re… (your name), right? From class?”

You swallowed hard. “Yeah, that’s me. And you’re… Crystal.”

“Crystal,” she repeated with a soft laugh, as if savoring the sound of her name. “I didn’t expect to see anyone I knew here. Funny coincidence, huh?”

You laughed nervously. “Yeah… funny.”

For the next few minutes, you talked about the usual things: class, professors, a few mutual friends. But underneath it all, you felt this unspoken tension—the kind that buzzed in your chest and made your hands itch to reach across the table.

Then she leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice. “Can I tell you a secret?”

Your heart skipped. “Sure.”

“I’ve noticed you,” she said, her eyes sparkling. “In class, around campus… and I’ve always wanted to say hi, but I never did. Until now.”

Your jaw practically hit the floor. “You… noticed me?”

“Of course I did,” she said with a teasing grin. “And I’m really glad I finally got the courage to talk to you.”

Your heart felt like it was going to explode. “I… I’ve liked you for a while,” you admitted, almost breathlessly. “I just never thought… you’d feel the same.”

Crystal laughed softly, reaching across the table to lightly touch your hand. “Well, looks like we’re both guilty then.”

For a moment, the world outside the coffee shop seemed to disappear. There was only you, her, and the quiet hum of the café around you.

And as she smiled at you, that undeniable spark between you finally ignited.

“You want to grab coffee… maybe again?” she asked, her tone playful but sincere.