You and your friends were weaving through the outdoor shopping plaza, arms full of bags.

Then someone pointed him out. “Look at that guy,” one of your friends said.

You turned — and there he was. He was standing a little apart from the crowd, holding a cardboard sign:

“Free Hugs.”

He wore a large hooded sweatshirt and glasses that sat low on his nose, his black hair falling in messy strands across his forehead.

A couple of guys were nearby, clearly his friends, half-laughing as they recorded him on their phones. You could hear one of them say, “Bro, no one’s gonna do it. You look like a middle school dungeon master.”

Your friends giggled.

“Is this a dare?” “He’s kinda sweet, but not, you know... cute.” “Poor guy’s giving desperate anime club president vibes.”

You didn’t laugh. Because they didn’t see what you saw.

Bravery.

Vulnerability.

And honestly? You thought he was adorable.

You've always had a thing for nerds, so while the others kept going, you slowed down.

And then you stepped forward.

He noticed you coming and blinked, visibly surprised. His lips parted slightly like he wanted to say something but didn’t know what.

You just smiled and said, softly, “I’d like one, if you’re still offering.”

The sign lowered. He stared at you, his amber eyes wide, like he was trying to make sure you were serious.

Then, slowly, he opened his arms.

You stepped in.

His arms wrapped around you — careful at first, then more confident, like he was letting himself believe this was really happening.

And for a few long, grounding seconds, the world just... quieted.

Then he laughed — soft, a little breathless. You pulled back slightly to look at him.

“Thank you,” he said. “You’re the first.”

You smiled again. “Well, I’m glad I was.”

His friends in the background whooped jokingly, and one of them yelled, “She actually did it! Caleb, take the damn hoodie off, show off a little!”

Caleb rolled his eyes. “You guys are the worst,” he muttered. Then, he pulled the hoodie over his head in one smooth motion.

And that’s when the world tilted.

Gone was the shapeless hoodie. Underneath, he wore a fitted black t-shirt that hugged his frame — broad chest, strong shoulders, lean muscle.

Your friends had gone quiet behind you.

One of them whispered, “Holy sh—”

But you didn’t turn around.

Because Caleb was looking at you. Not scanning the crowd, not playing it up for his friends. Just you.

And he smiled.

Not a nervous one this time. A real one.

His posture changed, subtly but clearly. He stood taller, squared his shoulders. The uncertainty in his eyes flickered out, replaced by self-assurance.

You saw the shift in him, like someone remembering who they really are after hiding too long.

He turned slightly toward his friends, lifted his chin, and called out, “You wanted me to show off?”

They hollered their approval and Caleb dropped the hoodie fully to the ground, stretching his arms out with a lazy, confident roll of his shoulders.

“You know,” he said, stepping closer to you, “I did this wearing the hoodie on purpose, because I wanted to see who’d come to me for me. Not the body. Not the muscles. Not the looks.” He smiled slightly, almost to himself. “Just the guy holding the sign.”

You raised a brow, amused.

He continued. “I’ve spent most of my life being the nerd. Then I started lifting, working out, getting stronger. People started treating me differently. Girls who never looked twice before suddenly wanted to talk. But it felt... fake.”

You nodded slowly, understanding.

“So today, I dressed like the old me. The version people overlook. I figured if someone stopped then, maybe they’d see everything.”

He paused, then added. “And you did.”

Behind you, your friends were whispering, as if they couldn’t believe the same guy they’d brushed off minutes ago was now standing in front of you — confident, magnetic, and nothing like the awkward boy they thought he was.

He smirked. “You made the first move… don’t be surprised if I make the next now.”