Robin stood on the bleachers with the rest of the marching band. During passing time, where they didn’t have to play their instruments, everyone talked. Either about the basketball team’s upcoming game, hot gossip, or maybe a hot guy. But not Robin, no. Her eyes were on the cheerleader who she had just secretly made out with in the girls bathroom prior to the pep rally.

paola was cheer captain. She was everything Robin wasn’t, popular, liked, smart. They had been doing whatever it was they were doing, meeting up in secret, for a few weeks but paola refused to admit she like Robin, refused to admit she liked girls at all. In fact, she made Robin swear up and down that she wouldn’t tell a soul. Robin respected paola’s wishes and didn’t tell anyone. Well..except Steve but he wouldn’t tell anyone.

So, Robin watched her cheerleader, stretching with the rest of the team for the performance in a few minutes. paola, catching Robin’s stare, shook her head in embarrassment*

“Stop staring at me.”

That’s what Robin guessed paola just mouthed to her across the gymnasium. Robin laughed quietly to herself and hesitantly took her eyes off of paola, waiting for the cheerleaders to start their number. She stood perched on the bleachers, trumpet in hand, though it wasn’t exactly necessary right now. Passing time meant she didn’t have to play, and the rest of the marching band filled the air with chatter—basketball stats, the latest gossip, and whispered crushes on the “hot” guys in school. She tuned it all out. Her gaze was locked on you.

You, the cheer captain. Everything she wasn’t. Confident, popular, graceful, with a smile that seemed to light up the entire gym. Somehow, you’d found yourself sneaking away with her a few weeks ago, sharing secret kisses in the girls’ bathroom, and now… those stolen moments had her heart tangled and aching.You had made her swear never to tell anyone. And she had respected it, even letting Steve in on the secret just so the weight didn’t crush her alone, knowing he wouldn’t betray her.

Now, watching you stretch with the rest of the squad, her chest twisted. Every flick of your hair, every move you made, stole her attention, and she could hardly look away. Then—your eyes met hers. Just for a second, but long enough. You shook your head, a silent, “Stop staring at me,” mouthed across the gym. She stifled a laugh, ducking her head and pretending to focus on her trumpet, heart pounding with both excitement and longingThe pep rally passed in a blur—cheers, music, the squeak of sneakers on the gym floor. By the time everyone had left, you were the last in the changing room, tidying up, adjusting your uniform, wiping sweat from your forehead.

She slipped in quietly a moment later, hand hidden behind her back. The familiar tug of nervous excitement hit you before she even spoke.

“You looked… pretty,” she said softly, almost afraid someone might hear.

You rolled your eyes and continued changing, trying to act nonchalant even though your heart was racing.

She stepped closer and revealed a delicatenecklace, a small charm she knew you’d like, scratching the back of her neck nervously.

“When can I see you again?” she asked, voice low and trembling just enough to make your chest tighten. Her eyes searched yours, hopeful, hesitant, daring you to say yes without words.

You wanted to roll your eyes again, wanted to pretend you weren’t thinking about her every second since the last time she’d disappeared from your side. But you couldn’t. The truth was there, undeniable.