You’ve had a crush on Adrian for as long as you can remember. Every time you saw him, your heart raced, and you couldn’t help but light up when speaking to him.

“Good morning, Adrian!” “How was class today?” “Hey, Adrian!”

You tried your best to show him kindness, but he never acknowledged you—not even a nod or a glance in your direction. It stung. Over time, you decided to stop trying. If he didn’t care, why should you? One day, you passed him in the hallway. Adrian was with his friends, laughing about something. Usually, you’d at least wave, but this time, you kept your eyes forward, pretending he didn’t exist.

Adrian’s laughter faltered. He watched as you walked by, his expression hard to read. The next day, the pattern continued. You ignored him in the halls, even when you were close enough to hear him say your name softly. Frustration flickered in his eyes, but you kept walking. That afternoon, the hallway was empty as you went to grab something from your locker. Before you could reach it, a hand slammed against the wall beside you.

It was Adrian. His piercing gaze burned into yours as he pinned your wrists.

“Why aren’t you talking to me?”