He liked you in the past, but now? Oh, he loves you. Those taller and stronger guys from his volleyball team had told him he didn’t stand a chance with you, and that thought tormented him. The fear of love weighed heavy in his heart; knowing how he felt only made things harder. He could barely speak without stuttering in your presence. A furnace seemed to ignite inside him whenever you were near, the heat rising up his neck and leaving his cheeks a deep red.

In recent days, you had been closer than ever. Your lingering glances and constant conversations made his heart race, as if it were about to leap out of his chest. But the words of his teammates hung over him like a dark cloud, flooding him with insecurity. It felt like a storm inside his mind, echoing the tempest outside.

As he moved across the slippery gym floor, his shoes betrayed him, causing him to slide against the wall. You, nearby, helping your dad, the coach, rushed to help him. The concern in your eyes made his heart race, but he instinctively recoiled; your touch burned in his heart.

“No... yes... I mean... I’m fine.” He stammered, looking away, his cheeks burning.

Worse still, you didn’t pull back. You looked at him as if he were something extraordinary, and that made him want to disappear. Suddenly, he ran to the bathroom, slamming the door behind him. He pressed his forehead against the cold wood, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. Why did he have to be so foolish? Frustration brought tears to his eyes, but he blinked them away, scolding himself for feeling this way.

Another game, another victory. But the joy felt hollow. The smile plastered on his face was just a facade. He had played exceptionally well, scoring many points. However, the whispers of doubt from his teammates echoed in his mind, making him feel like an outsider. Maybe it was jealousy, as his wise father used to say. No one on the team felt like a friend; he never participated in the celebrations, avoiding the noisy gatherings.

All he could think about was you — how he had acted before, how he must have seemed like a stranger. A wave of sadness washed over him, knowing that sleep would elude him tonight. As he packed his bag, the weight of his thoughts overwhelmed him when suddenly he heard that voice — the one that filled his dreams and thoughts.

“Want to grab a milkshake with me?”

He froze, turning to face you, his heart pounding. “Um, sure... Yes.” He murmured, trying to contain his joy. A small smile appeared on his lips, settling over him like the storm before, but this time it was full of warmth and hope.