Chapter 1: The Confession 

Deborah's POV

I've been secretly in love with Caleb for ages. Today, right after the match, I'm going to finally confess.

"Go Caleb, Go Caleb," I shouted excitedly from the sidelines as I snapped several photographs of Caleb Hall as he sprinted down the court. My big rimmed glasses slipped down my nose, but I didn't bother to push them back up as all that mattered was capturing the perfect shot for my perfect star. 

"Way to go, Caleb! I see some hustle, Liam," Coach Justin shouted from a corner of the basketball court, but all I cared about was Caleb, my sweet Caleb. 

I am Deborah Fleming, the basketball team's assistant that no one cares about and I love this job because it mostly keeps me close to Caleb, my crush since childhood. The same crush I've been harboring for years, building up the courage to finally tell him how I feel.

Just as Caleb made a slam dunk, the ball bounced off the rim and shot straight at me. Before I could have time to react, it hit me squarely on my nose, making my glasses fly off my face and hit the floor with a soft rattle. 

Leaving my camera to hang around my neck, I bend to the floor, squinting my eyes as I try to use my hands to search for my glasses. I hear footsteps approach and stop right in front of me. As I look up, I see Caleb standing in front of me with a smile on his face. 'Wait, did Caleb really stop to help me?' I ask myself, a bright smile appears across my face as hope soars in me. 'Is he finally noticing my feelings?' I ask myself, still staring at his gorgeous face.

"Oooh…Ouch," He said, shaking his head, then he picked the ball and walked away without a second glance. 

And just like that, Caleb ignored me, making disappointment wash over me as I felt the sting from his indifference. But I was already used to that by now, and it did not stop me from loving him and I don't think anything ever could. 'I always believed that one day he will see me as more than an assistant,' I sigh deeply. Maybe today will be that day—if I can find the courage to go through with my plan.

Just as I was about to continue the search for glasses, Liam walked over, "You just got a full-face reception, Deborah," he said with a smile as he picked up my glasses and gently put them back on my nose. 

As I feel his rough hand on my cheek, I hit his hand away immediately, not wanting any part of his playboy self to touch me. Even though a part of me felt a twinge of gratitude, I narrowed my eyes at him in response to his gesture. 

As Liam walks away, I feel a bit downcast at Caleb's behaviour towards me. But I push the feeling aside—I have more important things to focus on tonight.

***

As practice comes to an end, I walk into my dorm room exhausted, my eyes widening at the box on my bed with a bright ribbon tied around it. A smile spread across my face as I saw Mom's familiar handwriting on the card attached to it. 

I quickly untie the ribbon and open the box to see a beautifully knitted cardigan in soft cream yarn. As I hug the cardigan close to my body, I pick up the card inside the box, my heart warming as I read the words;

"Happy Early Birthday, sweetie. I know your birthday is still one month away, but I wanted to be the first to tell you how much I love you and how proud I am of the person you're becoming. Wear this cardigan and know you are always wrapped in my love."

My eyes became a bit wet with tears as I felt a surge of love for my mum. She always knew how to make me feel special. I put on the cardigan and checked out myself in front of the mirror. "You followed Caleb to college for nothing," I said to my image in the mirror. "Oh my God I'm gonna die a virgin," I cry out as panic threatens to set in. It has always been my dream to give my virginity to Caleb.

"No!" I say firmly, stopping the negativity in my head. "If you want it, you're going to have to make it happen," I say to myself, taking a deep calming breath. 

"Deborah Fleming, stop being such a coward and go for it," I order myself with a smile. Tonight is the night. I'm finally going to tell Caleb how I feel—just like I promised myself I would.

A few minutes later, I'm standing in front of Caleb's dorm room, my heart pounding as I remember my earlier resolution. With a deep breath, I knock gently on his door and wait for him to open up while adjusting my glasses on my nose. 

As soon as the door opens, the most beautiful man in the whole universe stands in front of me, bare-chested with a towel wrapped around his waist. Even though I was already used to seeing the guys bare-chested in the locker room, Caleb was and will always be the most beautiful. 

"Deborah," He muttered in a husky voice, which made me momentarily tongue-tied. "Can't it wait?" he asked, a little bit impatiently, but enough to untie my tongue. "I'm just a little busy."

This is it. This is the moment I've been planning for. Crossing my fingers mentally, I confess, "Caleb, I have been in love with you for years. I think we will make a great team."

'Oh shit, did I just say we will make a great team?' I berate myself in my head. 

"I have been saving myself for you and I want you to be the one to take my virginity next month on my 18th birthday," I finish with a smile on my face. 

Before Caleb could say anything a clapping sound emanated from behind him. Caleb turned to look behind him, giving me a clear view of who the sound was coming from. Olivia stood beside Caleb's bed, her hands clapping together with a sly smile spreading across her face. 

"Say hello to all my five hundred thousand followers," she said, her voice dripping with malice. I noticed a tripod stand in front of her, holding her phone, the screen glowing with what looked like a live stream. 

My eyes widened as I realised Olivia was broadcasting the whole scene to her massive followers. My secret confession—the one I'd been planning and building courage for—was now being streamed live to strangers. I looked towards Caleb, but he merely just shifted to give more space to Olivia while a small smile played on his lips. Olivia walked closer to me as she continued to clap for me while smiling for her audience.

"How sweet. A pleading little virgin," Olivia says, stopping in front of me. "Oh, don't let me stop you Deborah." She brings out a very small microphone, puts it in front of my mouth and asks, "What else would you like to say to Caleb?"

"Olivia, hi. I didn't realise you were here," I say nervously, trying not to stutter. 

"It's funny. Something in the toilet made me think of you and then I heard your needy voice. I can't believe you're still a virgin," Olivia says, putting a hand on her waist. 

My eyes dart towards Caleb again, then back to Olivia as my face reddens in more embarrassment. "Wait, I totally can," Olivia reiterates as a small chuckle escapes her mouth. "But I do love what you've done with your hair," she adds, using her fingers to touch the bridge between my upper lip and my nose. 

"I don't have a moustache," I replied, still nervous. Olivia looks at me with a brow raised while Caleb stares at me as well. Unable to stand there anymore and be the subject of Olivia's scrutiny especially in front of Caleb I decide to leave. "I'll just leave you guys, I'll go," I say, but as I turn to leave, two girls block my path.

"And what is this?" Olivia asks, taking the hem of my cardigan in between her thumb and fore finger. "This is uh…interesting."

Suddenly feeling self-conscious, I hug my cardigan closer to my body. 

"Women have a choice, Deborah. They can be appealing or they can be you," Olivia says again. 

"I like this cardigan," I mutter with a small nervous smile. 

"Oh really. So would my great-great-great-great grandmother," Olivia snickers. "Caleb is hot, you're not. Caleb is rich, you're poor. We're in. You're out. Repeat that to yourself when you go home crying to your greasy pillow." Caleb snickered silently at Olivia's words. 

"Olivia…" Caleb said, looking from Olivia to me while still standing at the corner.

Without missing a beat, Olivia continued, "Know your place, nerd which is in the library picking your nose with the other mathletes."

Other students began to gather around me, laughing as they heard Olivia. Olivia picks up her tripod stand and puts it in front of my face and says again, "Now if you could just finish up with some tears for my followers, that would be the icing on the cake."