I walk home with a strange feeling in my chest. The butterflies in my stomach are so tight, it actually hurts. Oliver used to act like I didn’t exist, and now, all of a sudden, he can’t stop looking at me. I don’t know what’s going on. Whatever it is, I hope it’s something good.

I’ve wanted his attention for so long. Now that I finally have it, I’m not sure what to make of it. I have no idea how to handle any of this. I’m new to all this love stuff.

When I get home, I push open my window and fall onto my bed. I try to replay everything that happened today – the way his eyes met mine while I was helping Julie, his hand brushing against mine more than once, the small smile he gave me when I looked at him, the fist bump. I hold on to every moment like I might lose it.

I don’t feel like eating or studying for the exam. I just want to lie here and think about everything that happened today. I’ve been like this for a while, not even sure how long, when my phone chimes with a message.

I check it, and my heart skips a beat when I see an unknown number.

'Hey, it’s Oliver. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. Do you have some time to share with me now?'

'Yes. What would you like?' I reply.

'I really liked your lesson. I was hoping you could help me with science, too. Are you free after the exam tomorrow.'

'Sure. I can come over to your house after the exam, if you want.'

'No, not my house, he replies. How about your secret spot?'

'My secret spot?' I ask, confused.

'Yeah. The railway track behind the school.'

I freeze. How does he even know about that? Whenever I feel too lonely or too sad, I go to that old, abandoned railway track. There’s a big rock beside it. I usually sit there until I feel better. It’s quiet and empty, except for the sound of birds from the woods nearby. I love it. That place has always been mine. How could he possibly know?

'How do you know about it?' I text.

'Last Friday, when you were crying your eyes out, I was there too. Sorry. I didn’t want to bother you or make things uncomfortable. That’s why I didn’t say anything.'

Last Friday. That was when a group of girls from our class picked on me for no reason. They said horrible things, just because they could. That’s how it is sometimes. High school can be cruel, especially when you don’t have anyone to defend you. I ran to the track and cried until I couldn’t anymore. And he saw it all.

Now I feel embarrassed. I don’t even know what to say.

'Why are you always so sad?' he writes. Then a moment later, he adds, 'Sorry, I didn’t mean it in a bad way. Just wondering.'

'It’s nothing big. When people treat me poorly, I feel down.'

'That’s because you let them walk all over you. You’ve got to be strong. Show them you can fight back. If they bully you, give it right back to them.'

'I’ll try,' I reply, adding a smiling emoji.

'So tomorrow at 3.15? At the track?'

'Sounds good,' I text back.

'Don’t tell Julie, okay?' he adds. 'I just want it to be the two of us.'

I send a thumbs-up emoji.

'Good night,' he texts.

'Good night,' I reply, then sink back into bed, my heart racing and my mind still trying to process what just happened.