I was never the kind of girl people noticed.
No friends.
No one waiting for me.
No one to laugh between classes.
School felt like a place I had to survive, not enjoy. Everday was the same - silent, distant, lonely. I used to watch others from afar... the ones surrounded by friends, laughter echoing around them like they belonged somewhere.
And i didn't ...
That day started no different - except I was late .
My heart raced as i hurried through the corridor, my footsteps quick and uneven. The bell had already rung.
thud.... thud..... thud.....
I rushed up the stairs, clutching my bag, breath growing heavier with each step. All I could think was -
"I, am going to be late.....again...."
I turned the corner too fast.
And then -
Thump.
I collided Into someone.
The world tilted.
My balance slipped, for a split second, i knew I was going to fall. My heart jumped into my throat -
But before I could hit the ground,
A hand caught me.
Firm. steady.
Time seemed to stop.
I slowly looked up, my breath caught somewhere between fear and something i couldn't name.
Ad then I saw his face.
My eyes widened.
It was him.
The one I had always noticed..... even when I didn't understand why.
Back when i didn't even know what a "crush " meant, there was just him - someone who stood out efforestesly. always surrounded by people. always smiling. always ahead in everything - studies, confidence, life.
And me ?
I was just someone in the background.
Watching.
From a distance.
I never had the courage to speak to him. Not once. Not even as a child.
But now .....
He was right infront of me.
For a moment that felt longer than it should have been, i couldn't look away.
Because i knew -
No matter what happens in life ....