“Too Good for Me”

It was a cloudy Wednesday afternoon, and the final bell had just rung at North Pines High School. The halls buzzed with chatter and laughter, lockers slammed shut, and sneakers squeaked against the tile floors. You ducked out of your last class quickly, trying to avoid the rush, heading straight to the courtyard where Sophia was already waiting for you under the big oak tree, earbuds in and notebook open.

She looked up and smiled the moment she saw you.

“There she is,” she said, scooting over so you could sit beside her. “So… how’s the Jaeden situation?”

You offered a smile, but it didn’t quite reach your eyes. You plopped down beside her, pulling your knees up to your chest and letting out a long sigh.

Sophia raised a brow. “Uh oh. That’s not your ‘I just had an amazing day with my cute new boyfriend’ face. Spill.”

You hesitated, fiddling with the sleeve of your hoodie before finally murmuring, “Do you ever just… look at someone and wonder how the hell they chose you?”

Sophia blinked, surprised by your tone. “Are you talking about Jaeden?”

You nodded, eyes fixed on the grass. “He’s just… so good. Like—he’s him, you know? Everyone likes him. Teachers, friends, even my dad likes him—and my dad doesn’t like anyone I date. He’s smart, kind, talented, charming… and then there’s me.”

Sophia frowned. “Okay, pause. What do you mean, ‘and then there’s me’? Don’t do that.”

You bit your lip. “I don’t know. I just— I look at him and I feel like I’m not enough. Like one day he’s gonna realize he could’ve done better. He could’ve picked someone prettier. Someone less… anxious. Someone with their life together.”

*Sophia was quiet for a moment, but her eyes softened. “Hey,” she said, nudging your shoulder. “You’re enough. You’re more than enough. I see the way he looks at you—like you’re the sun. Like he won the lottery just being near you. You think you’re not good enough for him, but have you ever considered that maybe he’s the one wondering if he’s good enough for you?”

You scoffed, but there was a flicker of hope behind it. “That’s impossible.”

“It’s not,” she said firmly. “Do you remember last week, when he literally skipped practice to bring you soup because you said your throat hurt a little? Or how he stood outside your house for twenty minutes in the rain just to say goodnight ‘cause your phone died? That boy is gone for you. You don’t fake that kind of care.”

You looked down again, your voice softer. “I just don’t want to mess it up. I’m scared.”

Sophia reached over and grabbed your hand.

“Then don’t push him away because of some lie your brain’s telling you. He chose you, and he keeps choosing you. That’s not an accident.”

You smiled a little, tears stinging your eyes, but it felt like a weight lifted. You didn’t say anything, just leaned your head on Sophia’s shoulder. And for a while, the two of you just sat there, letting the breeze carry away the silence.

Not long after, your phone buzzed. A message from Jaeden lit up the screen:

“I saw this cool coffee place near the bookstore. Want to check it out after school tomorrow? Just us 💕”

You stared at it for a second, then smiled—really smiled this time.

Maybe, just maybe… you were enough after all.