The new class had finally started feeling normal again. New books, new timetable, same classroom — but small changes were happening quietly.
During English period, Anna was copying notes when Sophia suddenly nudged her.
"Don't look now," Sophia whispered.
Anna frowned. "What?"
"Ethan was looking at you."
Anna tried to ignore it. "You imagine too much."
"I'm not!" Sophia insisted. "He was staring properly."
Emily, sitting behind them, softly added, "I noticed too…"
Anna felt slightly nervous. But not in the way she felt when Oliver looked at her.
She carefully glanced across the room.
Ethan quickly looked down at his book.
But something else caught her attention.
Oliver.
He wasn't looking at Ethan.
He was looking at her.
And when their eyes met, he didn't look away immediately.
Her heart skipped.
She turned back quickly.
Sophia didn't notice.
She was still busy whispering about Ethan.
And none of them — not Sophia, not Emily — knew the truth.
They didn't know Anna liked Oliver.
They didn't know she had liked him from the very first year.
She had hidden it carefully.
Especially from Sophia.
Because Sophia once thought Oliver liked her.
And Anna never wanted to hurt her best friend.
At lunch break, the teasing started.
"Annaaa," Sophia sang. "New story beginning?"
"There is no story," Anna replied calmly.
"But Ethan keeps looking at you!"
Anna smiled faintly. "Let him."
Emily looked at her carefully. "You don't seem interested."
"I'm not," Anna said simply.
Sophia laughed. "Then who are you interested in?"
Anna shrugged. "No one."
A small lie.
A very quiet one.
Later that day, Ethan came to her desk.
"Can I borrow your science notebook?" he asked politely.
"Sure," Anna said.
It was normal. Friendly. Nothing special.
But while handing him the notebook, she felt someone's gaze again.
Oliver.
This time, he looked slightly serious.
Almost… annoyed.
Anna quickly looked down.
Her heart felt confused.
Did it mean something?
Or was she just overthinking again?
The bell rang.
Everyone rushed out.
Sophia grabbed Anna's hand. "Come fast!"
Anna walked with her friends, laughing like everything was simple.
But inside?
Her feelings were still a secret.
And only she knew that no matter who looked at her…
Her heart still looked for Oliver. 💙