Max and Connor are laughing about something stupid - probably the substitute math teacher’s haircut - but I’m not really listening. My tray of food sits untouched in front of me, the pizza already going cold. My attention is somewhere else. Or rather, on someone else.

She’s sitting with her friends under the big oak tree near the edge of the courtyard, legs crossed, laughing at something on her phone. Her ponytail sways as she tilts her head, and the sun catches the freckles across her nose. I don’t think she even knows I exist - at least not in the way I wish she would.

“Mate.” Max says, dragging the word out like he’s been waiting for me to come back to Earth. “You’ve been staring at her for five minutes.”

I blink and try to act casual, like I wasn’t just mentally writing my name next to hers in some imaginary notebook.

Connor leans in, smirking. “It’s getting embarrassing, bro.”

I groan and drop my head into my hand. “Can we not?”

But Max isn’t letting it go. “Why don’t you just ask her out already?”

I lift my head and stare at him like he’s just suggested I streak through the cafeteria. “Are you insane?”

Max grins like he’s been waiting for this. “I’m serious. You like her. Everyone knows it. Just ask her out. What’s the worst that could happen?”

I scoff. “She could laugh. Or say no. Or, I don’t know, burst into flames and die of secondhand embarrassment.”

Connor snorts. “Pretty sure that only happens in cartoons.”

But Max isn’t backing down. He leans forward, eyes glinting with mischief. “Alright. I dare you.”

I frown. “What?”

“I dare you to ask her out. Right now. In front of all her friends.”

My stomach flips. “You’re joking.”

“Nope.” He’s got that smug look he always gets before we do something incredibly dumb. “C’mon, Norris. You got the balls or not?”

I glance over at {{user}} again. She’s tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and is now sipping from a bottle of water, completely unaware of the chaos she’s causing in my chest.

“You’re insane.” I mutter.

Max just shrugs. “Prove me wrong, then.”

I stare at him, heart thudding in my chest. Then I push my chair back, slow and uncertain and get to my feet. Max raises his eyebrows in surprise - and maybe a little respect. Connor whistles low under his breath.

I don’t say anything. I just raise my hand and flip Max off as I start walking toward her.

My palms are sweating. Every step feels like I’m walking a tightrope over a pit of hungry lions.

I don’t even know what I’m going to say.