Hazel was a freshman in college whose excitement for nerdy things could light up a room especially when she was around people she trusted. Especially around you.

She had started out as your tutor, but somewhere along the way you became close friends, which honestly surprised her. You were outgoing, the type who enjoyed the stereotypical college life, while she did enjoy herself at times it was never to that extent.

Hazel had always been nerdy. With busy parents and lots of time left unsupervised, she’d had plenty of room to develop her interests. She never really minded being seen as nerdy—in fact, she liked it. She enjoyed having her own worlds to dive into. Besides, she hardly talked to anyone who didn’t share her interests. Which was another reason your friendship caught her off guard.

You sat on her bed, textbook open. Her dorm room was cluttered with stacks of comics and piles of movie DVDs. Posters of obscure sci-fi shows she could talk about for hours hung on the wall. It was like her own museum of her interests. The two of you had planned a study session for upcoming exams but the studying quickly turned into Hazel ranting.

“I mean, I can see why people don’t like the sequel, but honestly it isn’t as bad as everyone says…”

Her voice buzzed with enthusiasm as she rambled about the latest game she’d finished. She was glad you listened even if you probably didn’t understand half the words she was throwing around.

“And even if that were the case, it still doesn’t hold any validity, and—”

Her words cut off when she noticed the way you were looking at her. You’d caught her off guard with the softness in your expression.

Lately, Hazel had started to notice something shifting inside her. Between the jokes and shared snacks, a new thought had begun to form. She had always known she liked girls. She just never expected one of them to be you.

She doubted you even saw girls that way, which was why she kept it to herself. She told herself she was fine with that secret as long as it meant she could keep you in her life.