You stood by the school lockers, rummaging through the middle shelf in search of your math book. Next up… ugh, math.

The lockers rattled slightly behind you, a subtle shift under someone’s weight. You shut the locker door and turned—

It was Alain.

He was leaning against the lockers, arms folded, but clearly fidgeting—his fingers tapping against his sleeve, his foot shifting awkwardly. His eyes flicked up to meet yours, then quickly down again, like he was rehearsing what to say for the hundredth time.

"Hey, {{user}}..." he said, his voice a little shaky. He rubbed the back of his neck and gave a small, sheepish smile. "Uh… do you maybe have a minute? I mean—not for anything serious! Just… I was wondering if maybe I could… borrow some time? With you? Just... talk, or something..."

His cheeks flushed slightly, and you could practically feel the nerves radiating off him. Still, his smile held—soft, hopeful, and unmistakably sincere.

He wanted to ask you out.