The moment the bell rang for the next period, our teacher didn't come.
Someone from the front row peeked through the door and confirmed the news that spread through the class like wildfire.
"Free period!"
The classroom immediately exploded into chatter.
Students stood up, some walked around, others dragged chairs together to gossip. Chris had already started arguing with someone about football. Daniel was leaning back in his chair, spinning a pen between his fingers.
Amanda, however, was still staring at me. The same stunned expression she had worn since I finished telling her everything.
Then slowly, very slowly, she leaned closer to me and whispered:
"I knew it."
I frowned.
"Knew what?"
Amanda crossed her arms dramatically.
"I knew something was awkwardly strange between you three."
"Three?" I said weakly.
"Yes. You, Daniel, and Ethan."
She shook her head like a detective who had just solved a complicated case.
"I just couldn't place my finger on it."
I groaned and buried my face in my hands.
"Amanda, please."
She poked my arm.
"No, no, no. Don't 'please' me now. You've been walking around like a confused soap-opera character for two days."
"I have not."
"You have."
She lowered her voice.
"First Daniel kisses you. Then Ethan hugs you. Then Ethan catches you dramatically like you're in a movie."
My face burned.
"Can you not say it like that?"
Amanda grinned mischievously.
"Oh, I'm just getting started."
She leaned even closer.
"Tell me the truth."
"What?"
She narrowed her eyes.
"Which one do you like?"
My brain shut down.
"I don't like anyone!"
"Liar."
"I'm serious!"
Amanda rested her chin on her palm.
"Hmm."
She studied me like I was a puzzle.
"You blush when Ethan talks to you."
I choked.
"I do not!"
"And when Daniel teased you just now, you almost fainted."
"That's because the entire class was staring at me!"
She sighed dramatically.
"This is such a beautiful mess."
"Amanda!"
"Relax," she said, laughing quietly. "I'm just teasing you."
Then her expression softened.
"But seriously… you need to figure things out."
"Figure what out?"
"How you feel."
Before I could respond, Amanda suddenly stopped talking. Her eyes shifted toward the door. I turned slightly and saw why. Chris and Daniel were walking toward us.
Chris looked curious.
Daniel looked… suspicious.
"Oh, no," Amanda whispered.
"What?"
"They're coming here."
My heart immediately started racing. Amanda stood up quickly.
Chris arrived first.
"What are you girls whispering about?"
"Nothing," Amanda said smoothly.
Daniel crossed his arms.
"You've been whispering for like ten minutes."
Amanda clapped her hands suddenly.
"Oh! Perfect timing."
Chris blinked.
"For what?"
Amanda grabbed my wrist.
"I just remembered something."
"What?" Chris asked.
She smiled sweetly.
"I need to show Sharon something outside."
Chris looked confused.
"Why outside?"
Amanda waved her hand dismissively.
"Girl stuff."
Chris immediately backed away like she had just said something dangerous.
"Oh. Okay."
Daniel, however, narrowed his eyes slightly.
"What kind of girl stuff?"
Amanda shrugged casually.
"The kind you don't want explained."
Then before either of them could ask another question—She dragged me out of the classroom.
The moment we turned the corner of the corridor, she burst out laughing.
"Oh, my God, that was close."
I exhaled in relief.
"Thank you."
She winked.
"I'm protecting you from interrogation."
We leaned against the railing overlooking the school courtyard. Students were scattered everywhere.
Amanda turned to me again.
"Alright. Back to the main problem."
I sighed.
"You're not letting this go, are you?"
"Nope."
She folded her arms.
"Look, Sharon. Things like this happen."
"Things like what?"
"Two boys suddenly paying attention to one girl."
I groaned.
"Please don't say it like that."
"I'm being serious now."
She nudged my shoulder.
"First rule: don't panic."
"Too late."
"Second rule: don't avoid them forever."
"I'm not avoiding them."
She gave me a look.
"You literally changed your route to school today."
I looked away.
"Okay… maybe a little."
Amanda smiled gently.
"Just act normal."
"Normal?" I repeated.
"Yes."
"Like nothing happened?"
"Exactly."
She shrugged.
"If either of them actually likes you, they'll make it clear eventually."
"And if they don't?"
"Then all this embarrassment will fade and you'll laugh about it later."
I thought about that for a moment.
Amanda continued.
"Also… don't let them confuse you."
"What do you mean?"
"Sometimes boys do dramatic things without thinking."
She smirked.
"Case in point: Daniel kissing you randomly."
I sighed again.
Amanda patted my shoulder.
"You'll survive."
We stayed outside talking for a few more minutes before returning to class.
The rest of the school day felt unusually long. Classes came and went, but my brain refused to stay focused.
Every time Ethan spoke, my heart skipped. Every time Daniel looked in my direction, I felt nervous.
By the time the final bell for the afternoon activities rang, I was mentally exhausted. Which meant one thing. English and Literature Club.
We gathered in the large hall where the club meetings were usually held.
Rows of chairs were arranged neatly.
At the front stood two familiar figures.
Mrs. Matilda. And beside her—Mr. Matthews.
Mrs. Matilda adjusted the microphone.
"Good afternoon, young writers."
"Good afternoon, ma," we responded.
Mr. Matthews stepped forward.
"Today's meeting will focus on character interaction and emotional expression in storytelling."
My stomach dropped slightly.
That sounded… dangerously relevant to my life right now.
Mrs. Matilda smiled warmly.
"In stories, relationships between characters bring the narrative to life."
She wrote something on the board.
'Dialogue. Emotion. Tension.'
"These three elements," she continued, "create compelling scenes."
Mr. Matthews nodded.
"And the best way to learn this is through practice."
Students shifted in their seats.
Mrs. Matilda glanced at a list in her hand.
"Therefore, we will perform a quick exercise."
Oh, no.
She continued.
"I will call out three pairs."
A ripple of curiosity moved through the hall.
"These pairs will come forward and perform a short interaction scene."
My heart began beating faster.
Mrs. Matilda read from the paper.
"First pair…"
She paused.
"Sharon Richards… and Ethan Williams."
My brain stopped. The room immediately buzzed.
Amanda gasped beside me.
"Oh, my God."
Mrs. Matilda continued calmly.
"Second pair…"
"Chris Turner… and Amanda Brooke."
Chris pumped his fist.
"Let's go!"
Amanda groaned.
Then Mrs. Matilda read the final pair.
"Daniel Carter… and Lily Adams."
But I barely heard it.
Because my entire brain was focused on one terrifying fact. I had to go on stage. With Ethan.
And something told me—This exercise was about to get very interesting... and chaotic.