It happened on a rainy afternoon.
I was staying late in the library, as usual. The rain hammered against the windows, and the building felt emptier than normal.
That's when I heard footsteps.
"Hey… um."
I looked up.
Alex.
Alone.
My heart forgot how to beat.
"I think this is yours," he said, holding out a notebook.
My notebook.
Our fingers brushed when I took it. Electricity shot straight up my arm.
"Th-thank you," I whispered.
He smiled. Not the big public smile. A softer one.
"You're Lily, right?"
My world tilted.
He knew my name.
"Yeah," I said.
He scratched the back of his neck, awkward. "I feel bad. We've been in the same class forever, and I barely know you."
I almost laughed. Almost cried.
"It's okay," I said. "I'm… not very noticeable."
He frowned at that.
"I don't think that's true."
Something cracked open inside my chest.