1

"Bye, Grandma Jami!" I call over my shoulder as I step out of the house, pulling the front door shut behind me.

I hear her old, raspy voice yell something after me, probably reminding me to eat properly or not to overwork myself, but I am already hurrying down the street. If I waste another second, I'll end up late for class again, and my teachers have already warned me twice this week.

The morning air is cool against my skin as I adjust the straps of my backpack and quicken my pace. By the time I arrive, students are already filling the hallways, chatting loudly and making their way to different lecture halls. I squeeze through the crowd, stop at my locker to grab my notebook, then head straight for class.

Thankfully, I make it before the lecturer.

I slide into my seat with a quiet sigh of relief and look up just in time to catch Matt staring at me. The moment our eyes meet, he smiles.

I return the smile before looking away.

Matt is the only person I can genuinely call a friend on campus, and even that friendship happens by chance. We both work at the same restaurant after school, so spending hours together every evening naturally brings us closer.

Aside from him, I keep everyone at arm's length. It saves me from unnecessary drama, and Highschool had more than enough of that already.

By lunchtime, I find myself sitting alone at my usual table in the cafeteria with a tray of food I barely have the appetite to eat.

Matt normally joins me, but he is nowhere in sight today. I pick absentmindedly at my fries, enjoying the rare silence, until a familiar chorus of laughter makes me look up.

Wonderful.

Lisa. And, of course, her loyal followers.

If there is one thing they never get tired of, it is making my life miserable.

They settle at the table directly opposite mine despite dozens of empty seats around the cafeteria. That alone tells me I am not about to eat in peace.

"Look who's here," one of the girls announces dramatically, making sure everyone nearby hears her. The others turn to look at me before bursting into laughter.

"Gosh, I can't stand her," another girl mutters loudly. "She makes me sick."

"And she acts like she's too good for everyone," another adds with a sneer. "She's not even classy."

I almost laugh.

Unlike them, I don't spend my money on fake designer handbags or expensive makeup just to impress people who don't matter. I have bills to pay.

"What's worse," another girl continues, "is that every guy keeps staring at her."

"I swear, sometimes I just want to slap that pretty face." the first one groans

The words have barely left her mouth when Lisa slowly turns to face her and the smile on her lips disappears.

"Pretty?" Liza repeats and entire table goes silent.

The girl's eyes widen as realization dawns on her. "N-no... I didn't mean it like that. I meant... ugly. She's ugly. Honestly, she's probably the ugliest girl on campus."

I shake my head and look away.

Lisa doesn't tolerate compliments directed at anyone she considers competition. Had that poor girl not corrected herself immediately, she'd have become Lisa's next victim.

As for me...

I stopped caring about Lisa's opinions a long time ago.

She is the type of girl who needs to be the center of attention every second of every day. If people aren't praising her, she'll make sure they are talking about her one way or another.

The bell finally rings, signaling the end of lunch break. I smile with relief, pushing my half-eaten food away, and walk out of the chaotic cafeteria into the quiet hallway.

I’m standing at my locker, swapping out my books, when a warm voice speaks up right behind me.

"Lauren." I turn around to see Matt leaning against the lockers, a handsome, easy smile on his face.

“You look beautiful today”

Heat instantly rushes to my cheeks as if it isn’t the same compliment I hear from him everyday.

"T-Thanks."

I turn back to my locker before he can notice me blushing, pretending to search for a notebook that is already in my hand.

"So... what class do you have next?" he asks.

"English," I say, closing the locker door with a click and turning back to him. "What about you?"

A grin spreads across his face. "Looks like we're classmates again."

"Then let's walk together."

"I'd like that."

As we head down the hallway, I steal a quick glance at him.

Matt has messy dirty blond hair, warm brown eyes, and a smile that somehow makes people feel comfortable around him. He isn't one of those ridiculously handsome guys who know they are attractive and act like the whole world revolves around them. He is just... Matt.

Kind, funny, easy to talk to.

And if I am being completely honest with myself…I wouldn't mind calling him my boyfriend one day.

We walk side by side toward our classroom, neither of us saying much for the first few moments. The hallway buzzes with conversations, lockers slam shut every few seconds, and students rush past us in every direction, but somehow it feels like none of it exists.

"Lau? You listening?" Matt’s fingers gently tap my shoulder, snapping me right out of my head.

"Sorry!" I blink, shaking my head.

"What did you say?" "I said I’m sorry I couldn't join you for lunch," he says with a soft laugh. "Ms. Fields trapped me into helping her organize files."

"Oh, it's totally fine. Don't worry about it," I say with a warm smile. Our eyes lock for a long beat, the silence between us growing thick and heavy. I’m the one to break it, tearing my eyes away to look straight ahead.

I can still feel his gaze burning into the side of my face. My cheeks flare red all over again, and I quickly pull my long brown hair over my shoulder to hide the blush.

We’re right outside the English classroom door when Matt reaches out and lightly grabs my elbow, stopping me.

"Lau," he calls softly.

"Yeah?"

"I really need to tell you something."

"Right now?" I ask, glancing at the teacher stepping up to the board inside. "

No. After class. Meet me by the garden?"

I nod. "Okay."

We slip into the room and head to our separate desks. The second the lecturer dismisses us, Matt is already waiting beside my desk.

"Ready?"

I smile as I slip my notebook into my bag. "Lead the way."

Instead of heading toward the parking lot, he leads me through one of the quieter paths on campus until we reach the garden.

It is a peaceful little corner with flowers, neatly trimmed hedges, and a few wooden benches scattered beneath tall trees.

Students usually come here whenever they want a break from the noise around school.

"Hey, Matt!" A voice cuts through the peaceful silence.

We stop as Lisa steps into the pathway, wearing a tight top and a smirk. She glides up to Matt, trailing a manicured fingernail down his chest with a wink. I scoff out loud, crossing my arms.

"Hi, Lisa," Matt says flatly. He gently takes her wrist, moves her hand away from his chest, and then reaches down to grab my hand, pulling me past her without another word.

I glance over my shoulder and throw her a sweet, mocking little smile. Lisa snaps back with a dead-eyed glare that practically screams I’ll make you pay for that. If looks could kill, I'd have been buried six feet under a long time ago.

Matt doesn't stop walking until we reach one of the empty benches hidden beneath a large oak tree. He turns to face me, suddenly looking far more nervous than I've ever seen him.

His hands disappear into the pockets of his jeans before coming out again almost immediately.

Then he rubs the back of his neck.

I blink.

Is he... nervous?

"Lau," he begins quietly.

"I've wanted to tell you something for a while now."

My heartbeat slows, or maybe it speeds up. I honestly can't tell.

"We've known each other for almost a year now."

I nod.

"And every day I spend with you only makes me like you even more."

There it is. The words I've secretly hoped to hear.

"You make me laugh. You're kind, hardworking, and even when life keeps throwing problems at you, you still manage to smile."

His eyes search mine. "I know this might be sudden but I'd regret it if I never asked."

He steps closer. "Lauren...Will you be my girlfriend?"

My pulse pounds loudly inside my chest as Matt looks at me expectantly, waiting for my answer.

"I..." I stammer, suddenly forgetting every word in the English language. "I don't know what to say."

A small smile tugs at his lips.

"You don't have to answer me right now," he says. "Take your time and think about it. I'll wait."

I let out a breath I haven't realized I am holding.

"Thank you."

He smiles, then reaches for my hands. His fingers wrap gently around mine, sending a strange warmth through my body. My heart starts beating faster, and I can only stare at him.

"Lauren," he calls softly.

"Hmm?"

"Can I kiss you?"

I freeze, my eyes widening slightly as I look into his. A kiss?

My first kiss?

I have imagined it before, of course. Every girl probably has. But now that the moment is actually here, I realize I have absolutely no idea what I am supposed to do.

Do I close my eyes now?

Or do I wait until he does?

What if I do something embarrassing?

What if I'm a terrible kisser?

Oh my gosh…He'll probably laugh at me.

Matt slowly leans closer, giving me enough time to stop him if I want to, but I don't. Instead, I find myself leaning in too.

My heart pounds wildly against my chest as the distance between us grows smaller and smaller. I slowly close my eyes.

Our lips are only inches apart when panic suddenly creeps in and my eyes fly open.

"I... I can't."

Without thinking, I place both hands against his chest and gently push him away. Matt immediately steps back, confusion flashing across his face.

"Lau?"

"I-I'm sorry."

My face burns with embarrassment. I can't even bring myself to look him in the eye.

"I... I have to go."

Before he can say another word, I turn around and hurry away as fast as my legs can carry me. I don't stop until I am out of the garden.

Only then do I press a hand against my chest and let out a shaky breath.

"What is wrong with me?" I groan.

I like Matt.

I really do.

Then why can't I let him kiss me?