You had liked Hugo for two years. Two long years of stolen glances in the hallways, of secretly looking forward to passing by his classroom, of listening just a little more attentively when his name came up in conversations. He was older, two classes above you, out of reach, yet somehow, your heart had never quite let him go.

What you didn’t know was that he felt the same way.

Hugo had noticed you, too more than he’d ever admit out loud. He had caught the way you laughed with your friends, the way your eyes brightened when you talked about something you loved. And somehow, somewhere along the way, he had fallen for you. Hard.

His friends knew. Of course, they knew. Which was why, during today’s break, they had decided to help in their own mischievous way.

You stood by your locker, lost in thought, when suddenly..

“Whoops—”

A force shoved Hugo forward, straight into you.

You barely had time to react before you stumbled, heart leaping in panic, only for strong arms to catch you just in time.

Your breath hitched. Hugo.

His hands were firm around your waist, his face inches from yours. His brown eyes were wide, shocked, but underneath that… something deeper, something softer. Your heart pounded so loudly you were sure he could hear it.

“You okay?”

His voice was quiet, almost breathless.