Chapter 3:
I always thought that in my romantic life, I'd be the one to muster my courage and confess first. I imagined he'd be kind of average-looking, someone who genuinely liked me, not just thought I was "nice." That's what I always pictured… until now.
Because during the second period, all I could think about was him. Whatever the teacher was saying might as well have been another language. I tried my best to focus, but every now and then, I could feel someone's eyes on me. Jack.
I couldn't tell what that look meant; was it mocking? Curious? Or that impossible one: the like-you kind of smile? My brain couldn't handle it. I was so thrown off, I even told the teachers I couldn't help them with their paperwork that day because I "wasn't feeling well." (Emotionally true, I guess.)
And if you're wondering how I reacted when he asked me out… well, I froze. Obviously. What kind of question was that? He'd asked it so casually it was terrifying, and to me of all people! He must've realized how shocked I looked, because he added, "I guess that came out of nowhere. You can have time to think about it." Then he just turned and left. No expression. No explanation. Meanwhile, my emotions were somewhere between a tornado and an earthquake. Like, from where did he imagine going out with me? also did I just get confessed to? me?
That night, I made dinner for my little brother, maybe with a bit too much salt, but he survived, then jumped onto my bed and stared at the ceiling. "Tomorrow," I told myself, "I'm going to wake up and find out it was just a dream. Obviously, he was not serious for sure."
The next morning, I pretended as if nothing had happened. I helped one of the girls in my class talk through a problem she didn't want to share with her friends. She said they'd think she was weird (she kinda was, but I didn't say that). She just wanted someone to listen. So, I did what I always do, helped. Business as usual, I was relieved.
Later that day, we had gym class. Another group was using the gym first, so we had to wait. When the doors finally opened, I saw her. Faye. And right behind her… Beau. Great. Just great. The place instantly became idol chaos.
Faye immediately started scanning the room for Jack, but he turned away the moment he saw her. The other girls didn't dare approach him; they'd already learned that Jack didn't play the "popular boy" game. Instead, they just stared at him like he was a museum piece labeled Do Not Touch.
He looked effortlessly cool, tall, and confident, with yellow hair slightly messy from playing. The way he passed the ball had this natural grace that made it seem like he'd been born holding one. As for Me? Let's just say… I wasn't born that way.
When class ended, a few of us were picked to put the balls back in storage. Four of us total. But after ten minutes, the others suddenly "had an emergency" and left me to finish alone. I didn't mind. I was used to it.
Once I was done, I grabbed the last ball and thought, Why not? Let me try that Jack move. So, I started shooting. It was… bad. Really bad. Like, I could hear the spirit of every failed athlete laughing at me. But it was so bad that it actually became funny, so I just kept going, giggling by myself.
Then, out of nowhere, a voice said, "I didn't know you could smile like that."
I nearly dropped the ball. Jack was standing there, now back in his uniform, watching me with that same unreadable smirk.
"What are you doing here?" I blurted, still out of breath.
He stepped closer, too close, and tilted my chin up again so I'd look at him. "I believe you've had enough time to think about my question," he said smoothly.
I blinked. Wait, what? My brain scrambled. "Uh… wait, can you please...my chin—"
"Oh, sorry," he said quickly, letting go.
"And were you… Serious?" I asked, my voice barely steady.
"I am," he said without hesitation. "I know it was sudden, and that's why I didn't want to pressure you all day. So… what will it be?"
I turned away, putting the last ball into the storage bin just to buy time. My heart was going crazy. "Can I ask you something?" I said finally.
He nodded.
"There are so many beautiful girls literally dying for your attention," I said, words tumbling out. "You could pick any of them, but instead you choose the girl nobody really notices, the one who's not that pretty, who everyone just thinks is 'nice.' You probably think I'm gullible, that I'd say yes just because you're handsome. But that's not going to happen. I'm sorry, but—"
Before I could finish, Jack pulled me into a sudden, tight hug. My whole body froze.
He stepped back, still holding my shoulders, his eyes steady on mine. "I'm serious," he said quietly. "Very serious. I notice you, I want you, Lea. It has been a long time since then, but you, Lea, intrigue all my thoughts. This isn't a joke."
I just stood there, heart pounding like crazy. His eyes were so sincere that it made my chest ache with gladness. My face felt like it was on fire. I lowered my head, staring at the floor, completely lost. What is this feeling that I can't control? Is this what it feels like to be liked? To be really liked by someone?
Because if it is… then I'm in trouble.