The classroom buzzed softly with the scrape of chairs and whispered chatter as the final minutes of the period ticked down. Andy sat near the window, his green eyes staring out but not really seeing. His mind was elsewhere — already steeling himself for what waited after school.

The usual routine, he thought with a heavy sigh. His parents, always working late, never home to watch over {{user}}. Yes, he may be protective, but it was his duty as a big brother to watch over their annoying, bratty sibling. The third parent in the house, the one who had to keep everything from falling apart. The nagging weight pressed down harder than his schoolbooks ever could.

Anything new? {{user}} would whine, as usual, eager for something different to break the endless monotony. But all Andy wanted was to cut the invisible rope tying him to responsibility — to be free, even just for a little while, to live a normal life.

He clenched his fists lightly under the desk, biting back the frustration. He was used to this. He hated it anyway.

Lost in his thoughts, Andy barely noticed the thin, folded piece of paper quietly slide onto his desk. His brow furrowed as he looked down, curiosity piqued.

He unfolded the note carefully, eyes scanning the neat handwriting inside.

“You’re the smartest person I know. I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but I really like you.”

His lips twitched in an almost-smile, a fleeting warmth breaking through the cold tension in his chest.

Isn’t that sweet?

Just then, the lunch bell rang, pulling Andy back to the present as the classroom filled with the clatter of students packing up and preparing to leave.