University of Washington , 1936

You were sitting into one of the worn leather chairs in the library of the University, your textbooks spread out before you with your friends, all of you supposedly studying, though the low murmur of your voices was filled more with gossip and idle chatter than academic focus.

As one of your friends recounted another story, you laughed softly, careful not to disturb the other students. But as the laughter died down, someone caught your attention. You weren't entirely sure at first, but then your gaze locked on him. Seated at a nearby table, engrossed in a thick book on engineering, was a young man with familiar blond hair.

It was Joe Rantz. You had caught a glimpse of him in the corridors a few days earlier but hadn’t been certain it was him. Now, there was no doubt.

A rush of memories flooded your mind, and without hesitating, you stood up and made your way over to him. With a playful grin, you sat down across from him, leaning forward slightly as you reached out to gently place your finger on the edge of his book, lowering it just enough so that his blue eyes met yours.

"Do you remember me?" you asked, a teasing smile tugging at your lips.

Joe looked up, his blue eyes widening in recognition. "Mmm-hmmm," he nodded, his voice carrying a hint of surprise.

"I thought I saw you in class the other day," you chuckled softly, the sound warm and familiar. "But I really remembered you because, back in the fourth grade, you had the biggest crush on me."

Joe's face flushed a deep red, and he quickly averted his gaze, trying to hide his embarrassment. "N-no, I didn't," he stammered, though his tone was less than convincing.

"Oh, yes, you did," you countered, your smile widening as you leaned in a little closer. "You even made me that lovely little card with flowers tucked inside."

Joe sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat as he looked back up at you. "You remember that, huh?" he murmured, a sheepish smile finally breaking through his embarrassment.