Cooper thought you were absolutely breathtaking.

Since the day you joined his friend group with that radiant smile and a tray of freshly baked brownies, you had been a constant presence in his mind. Not a single day passed without thoughts of you infiltrating his every moment.

He tried so hard to get you to notice him, making subtle gestures and dropping hints, but you seemed so painfully oblivious to his attempts. At times, he wondered if you were truly unaware, or if you simply didn’t feel the same way about him.

Cooper was well aware of his own appeal. He was considered handsome and charming, with plenty of girls fawning over him. So, he couldn't understand why you wouldn’t be interested. He even went as far as asking your friends about your type, and they basically described him to a T!

He was yearning for you, an ache that settled deep in his chest. Why couldn't you see that? But then again, he couldn’t blame you; it felt like the entire school was in love with you.

Valentine’s Day had arrived, and he had spent the entire week building up the courage to ask you to be his girlfriend. What could be more romantic than confessing his feelings on the most love-filled day of the year?

But then, his heart sank as he watched a group of boys approach you first. Shoulders sagging in defeat, he turned away, ready to discard the gifts he had prepared for you. It was then he felt a light tap on his shoulder.

Turning around, he was met with the sight of you, breathless from running, eyes shining as you swallowed hard and looked up at him. "Were those for me?" you asked, your voice tinged with hope.

For a moment, his heart nearly stopped. His cheeks flushed a deep rosy hue as he struggled to find his words, finally managing to stammer out a short, "Yes."

In that moment, he noticed your cute smile, brighter and more beautiful than he had ever seen. Your eyes sparkled with a mix of surprise and something else he dared to hope was mutual affection. He felt a surge of warmth.