You waited behind the gym, clutching your note with sweaty hands and hope in your chest.

Caelan Drex showed up—Ridgeway High’s heartthrob, your crush since forever.

He read the note.

Then he looked at you—hesitant, awkward. “You’re really sweet… but you’re not my type.”

Those words didn’t cut. They shattered.

You smiled anyway, nodded, and walked away.

You cried that night. Then you got angry. Then you got better.

—

Three months later, you weren’t the same girl.

You changed your hair. Started running. Learned how to turn pain into power. You didn’t glow up for him—you did it for you.

And now, Caelan couldn’t stop staring.

“You look… different,” he said, cornering you at your locker.

You smirked. “No, Caelan. I just stopped waiting for someone to see my worth.”

He opened his mouth—but you were already walking away.

This time, he was the one left behind.