"The first time he touched my pen, I fell for him."
---
"You're staring again."
Luke's voice pulled me out of my trance. I blinked and looked away from James, who was scribbling in his notebook like the world didn't exist.
His hair fell perfectly over his eyes, and his hoodie sleeves were pulled over his hands. Of course.
"I wasn't staring," I said quickly.
Luke gave me that look. You know, the one only best friends are legally allowed to give.
"Niki, you've been watching him for five minutes straight. I timed it."
I rolled my eyes and dropped my head dramatically on the desk.
"He's just… mysterious, okay? Like, what is he always writing in that notebook? A novel? Sad poetry? A list of people he secretly hates?"
"Plot twist: you're at the top of the list."
"I'd frame it."
I grinned, and Luke laughed—that full, warm, dimpled laugh that made people turn around and smile with him.
It was my favorite sound in the world.
But it didn't make my heart race.
Not like him.
---
The pen thing happened two weeks ago. I dropped it during chemistry class, and before I could reach for it, he picked it up. James didn't smile. He didn't say a word. He just handed it to me and looked away.
That was it.
"You've built a whole fantasy off of him picking up a pen," Luke teased, watching me doodle little hearts on my notebook.
"It wasn't just the pen. It was the way he gave it back. Like…"
"Like he couldn't care less?"
I gasped. "Exactly! It's so mysterious."
Luke groaned and dramatically dropped his head on the table.
"You need help. Serious help. And maybe a boyfriend who talks."
"He probably writes better than he talks."
I paused.
"Do you think I should write him a poem?"
"Oh god. Please don't. He'll block you in real life."
We both laughed, and in that moment, I forgot how confusing life was.
It was always like this with Luke. He made things feel lighter.
---
"Okay but like," I whispered, glancing three desks ahead where James sat, hunched over. "What if he's the one? Like, what if I'm supposed to fix him or something?"
Luke looked at me for a long second.
His smile faded just a little, but not enough for me to notice.
"You don't need to fix anyone, Niki. You just… deserve someone who sees you."
"He might see me."
"He hasn't looked at you once."
I pouted.
"Maybe he's shy. Or maybe he's scared of how much he feels."
Luke didn't respond. He just stared at his desk and spun his pen.
---
The bell rang, snapping us both out of the moment.
James stood up and left without looking back.
I watched him go.
Luke stayed beside me, still quiet.
"One day," I said softly, mostly to myself. "He's going to turn around."
Luke's voice was low when he answered.
"I hope when he does… you'll still be facing him."
I didn't understand what he meant.
Not then.
Not until everything shattered.
Not until I really found out who he was really looking at.
[Chapter 1 ENDS]