I slowly walk with my head held high. I keep my eyes forward, completely ignoring him. Why should I look down when I haven’t done anything wrong? If anyone should feel ashamed, it’s him. He pulls up his bike beside me, and as I try to pass, he reaches out and grabs my arm.

I flinch at his touch, but don’t stop walking. He tightens his grip slightly, just enough to make me pause.

“Scarlet, wait,” he begs.

I finally stop. “What do you want?” I ask, my voice cold and clipped.

His eyes search mine, but I am not ready to give in. Not yet.

“Where were you?” he asks, as if I’m the one who vanished without a word.

I blink, trying to hold back the sting in my eyes. The ache in my chest is still too fresh. “Like you don’t know,” I shoot back.

“You waited for me at the track all this time?” he asks, sounding stunned.

“I thought we had a plan,” I say, a little too dryly.

“You didn’t get my messages?” he asks, sounding genuinely sorry. “When I set this up, I completely forgot about the visit to Tom’s house that we planned a week ago. I tried everything to get out of it, but I couldn’t. That’s why I messaged you.”

“I didn’t take my phone today,” I reply quietly.

“Why not?”

“I forgot,” I mutter.

He sighs. “Oh, Scarlet. I’m really sorry. I honestly thought you saw my message.”

“Then why can’t you talk to me at school?” I ask. “Why do you act like you don’t even know me?”

He exhales. “Because I’m not ready to tell everyone about us. Especially Julie. I just… need time.”

I stare at him. “Is it because I’m not good enough? Not pretty enough? Are you embarrassed?”

He gives me a soft smile. “Do you even hear yourself? You’re the most beautiful girl in the whole school. Every guy I know has had, or still has, a crush on you.”

I narrow my eyes, trying to tell if he’s joking. “What kind of prank is this?”

“There’s no prank, Scarlet,” he says, seriously. “You’re so, so beautiful, and you don’t even see it. You need to pull your head out of those books and look in the mirror sometimes.”

I let out a short, bitter laugh. “Then why hasn’t anyone ever said anything? If all these guys supposedly have a crush on me, how come not a single one ever told me?”

“Because you’re not easy to approach. You’re always in the library, head down in a book. You come off as serious, even intimidating. People hesitate.”

“Were you scared to talk to me?”

“If I’m being honest… yeah. I’ve liked you since the first time we met. You probably don’t remember, but we bumped into each other at school, and your books fell. I brought you a chocolate the next day, I thought that might be a hint. But you didn’t catch it.” He smiles, a little shy now. “Most times when you come by, I’m not around. But when I know you’re coming, I stay home and watch from the window…, not in a weird way or anything. I just hope maybe you’ll look up. But you never do.” He lets out a quiet breath. “Yesterday, when you came home, I actually had plans to go out. But then you sat beside me, and I couldn’t pretend anymore. I need you in my life. That’s why I stayed. That’s why I finally said something.”

I have no words.

He steps off his bike, sets the brake, and leans it against the curb. Then he moves closer, still holding my arm.

“Scarlet, try to understand your worth. You’re smart, you’re attractive, and people notice you, even if you don’t realize it.”

“So… you like me?” I ask, still unsure.

“I love you, Scarlet,” he says, his eyes shining with emotion. “I love you.”

There’s a light in his eyes – part affection, part longing, and something else I can’t quite name.

Then, without warning, he glances around, leans in, and kisses me gently on the lips.

I stand there, frozen, caught in the moment, like the world’s stopped spinning just for us.