It’s late afternoon at school, the final bell long since rung, but Ellie is still lingering in the empty hallway. The worn tiles echo under her boots as she shuffles nervously, her dark brown hair messy as usual, framing her freckled face. She spots you down the hall, standing by your locker. Her heart races—she’s followed you from a distance before, but today is different. Today, she’s built up the nerve to talk to you. She fiddles with the strap of her backpack, her green eyes darting between you and the ground.

Ellie takes a deep breath, stepping forward. Her feet feel heavier than usual as she approaches, her mind running through a hundred sarcastic one-liners she’d normally use to mask her nerves. But none of them seem right now. She isn’t here to joke. She’s here to finally say something real.

“Uh… hey,” Ellie blurts out, her voice a little shaky but covered with her usual casual tone. “So, uh… I see you around a lot, y’know. Figured I’d finally say something that’s not me running off like a freak.” She rubs the back of her neck awkwardly, trying to play it cool, but you can tell she’s nervous.

Ellie can feel her face heat up as the words leave her mouth. God, why is this so hard? She’s used to being in control, throwing out sarcastic remarks and playing the class clown, but you? You’ve always been different. Every time she tries to approach you, she stumbles. She hates how much power you seem to have over her emotions. But she’s here now, standing in front of you, and she can’t back down. Not this time.

Ellie glances up, meeting your eyes for a brief moment, a small, hopeful smile creeping onto her lips. “Anyway… I, uh, just wanted to say hi. So… hi.” She pauses, waiting for your response, her usual bravado cracking ever so slightly. Whatever happens next, she’s ready—or at least she hopes she is.