I still haven't recovered from being pinned against the wall by Felix. I haven't even yelled at Eve yet, though I throw her murderous glances every chance I get. She must feel it—she keeps avoiding me by a mile.
To vent, I deliberately aim the ball at her during our two-a-side game. Eve's on the opposite team, and she's about to regret it.
"You want to kill me, monkey!" she shouts, offended as the ball zooms just past her face.
"You deserved it," I shoot back.
Heat rushes to my cheeks as I remember how close Felix was moments ago. Butterflies flutter in my stomach again, his words echoing in my mind.
He looked me straight in the eyes and confessed I'd been in his thoughts since elementary school.
Could he have been the one crushing on me first? But why don't I remember him from back then? I'm sure I never saw him before high school...
Lost in these thoughts, I don't see the ball flying toward me. It smacks me right in the face and I drop to the floor, the world spinning wildly.
"Selena, are you alive?" A friend leans over me, eyes wide with concern.
"No," I groan. "Because I see a two-headed whale."
Eve wrinkles her nose in offense.
"If you're teasing me, then that's fine," I add with a grin.
I try to stand, but dizziness pulls me back down. This time, though, I don't hit the floor—I'm caught in an embrace. Felix's arms hold me steady. I blink, cheeks burning, trapped under his intense, caring gaze as everyone watches.
"Didn't we have a scene like this in the story, Selena? You even blushed just like this," he whispers, making my knees weak. Now I'm not sure if it's him or a concussion.
"My younger colleague needs immediate attention from the nurse," he announces, turning to the teacher. "Since I'm holding her, I'll get her there safely."
His classmates murmur approvingly, the girls throwing jealous looks my way. Only Eve beams with a wide smile.
Felix carries me in his arms, and my panic spikes.
I stare up at his face, eyes wide.
"Let's make your imaginations' reality, Selena."
Why didn't that ball just finish me off already?
*
I lie on the bed, and he doesn't leave my side. He sits in the chair next to me, eyes fixed on my face.
I feel so awkward I don't know what to do with myself.
"Why are you running away from me with your eyes?" he asks softly.
His words finally pull me in, and I meet his gaze for a long, steady moment.
"Thank you for helping me," I whisper, then turn my attention back to the wall opposite. "But shouldn't you be in class?"
"I have an excuse," he says with a small smile. "I'm taking care of you now."
Please, let him go. I feel like I'm about to suffocate under the weight of shame. I can't be near him knowing he just found out I wrote that strange story about us — and that he knows it was me. Less than an hour ago.
"Don't you want to ask what's behind the words that I've been in your thoughts since elementary school?" he teases.
If he keeps this up, I'll die right here in the nurse's office. And it'll be because of him — not from the ball hitting my head.
"Should I know?" I whisper.
"Since I learned from the story what you think of our future, I'll tell you what's hidden in our past."
Is this really Felix? He seems possessed by some boldness I never knew he had. I always thought he was focused on basketball and his friends, uninterested in girls at school. But now... he's different.
"Have you really known me since elementary school?"
"Yes. Back then, you were one of the few kids who didn't judge others by their looks. You stood up for me when I was bullied."
My eyes widen as I stare at one point, the memory flooding back. That day—how angry I was seeing that boy being bullied, how helpless he seemed.
That boy was Felix—although six years later, he looks like a walking god.
2014
Lollipop in mouth, I'm heading for the exit with my best friend, the one I've stuck with since first grade. It's a long lunch break. Most kids are in the cafeteria; some run around the halls, scolded by teachers. We decided to spend time on the field — the sun feels warm on my skin.
We sit on a bench, watching others play basketball. They're not tall for the sport yet, but they're good. My attention drifts to some boys bullying a chubby kid, pushing him onto the concrete with cruel grins.
They're sixth graders, thinking they're better than everyone else.
"This isn't your place, fat Australian! Go jump with the kangaroos, maybe lose half a ton," one mocks.
My brows furrow, outrage rising. It's ridiculous how they spurn someone just because he's not purely American and carries some extra weight.
"I just want to play," the boy says softly, head down. "I love basketball."
The bullies laugh harder.
"Did you hear that? Fatty wants to play basketball," one says, mocking him. "We're scared you'll cause an earthquake."
I can't take it. It hurts to watch all the kids laughing like the boy is hopeless.
I have to act. It's how my parents raised me.
I stand, and my friend stares, surprised.
"Where are you going, Selena?"
"To play Batman."
"Huh?"
I step in front of the chubby boy, narrowing my eyes fiercely. My heart pounds, but I meet the bullies' gazes without flinching.
"What, kid?" one sneers, pushing me aside.
"Don't touch me!" I snap, wagging my finger. "You're not allowed to treat him like that."
"What are you going to do? Beat me up?"
"Nope. Your face is so ugly I'm scared to touch it with my fist."
Laughter erupts. I glance down at the boy, who finally looks up. His round face and "Harry Potter" glasses make him look friendly.
"Soon, I'll make your face uglier than mine!" one bully lunges, but a teacher arrives just in time to break it up.
I focus back on the plump boy, his face brightening with a smile.
"It was an exception that I helped you. Work on your assertiveness," I tell him as I turn to leave.
"Thank you!" he calls after me.
For some reason, it warms my heart — the first time I helped a stranger.
2020
I blink, looking back at Felix. I never imagined he was the boy I helped years ago.
"That was the day I fell in love," he says quietly. "You're my first love, Selena."
I catch my breath.
"You really impressed me then. I watched you every day but never had the courage to come near. Then you disappeared the next semester."
"My parents transferred me to another school," I say, not wanting to dwell on that past.
"You were confident then, but now I'm braver," he says, rising. He leans over me, hands on the mattress, face dangerously close.
My heart is about to leap out, yet my feelings for him should fade — but they don't.
"Now that I know you like me too, nothing can stop me."
I look into his eyes, and I believe him. He's so serious it sends shivers down my spine.
"What do you have in mind?"
He doesn't answer — just smiles, brushing a strand of hair from my face.
"Rest now, Selena. You need to recover before the next lessons."
I watch his silhouette as he turns toward the door. Before he leaves, he glances back, making sure I'm okay.
Did he just say that now nothing will stop him from chasing me?
How many times does your crush actually end up liking you first?
Amazing.