During lunchtime, I found myself debating whether to visit my "secret spot." I was genuinely curious about why he had warned me to steer clear of his brother.
Ultimately, I opted to do what most students did and sat down at the lunch table, trying to blend in.
However, just as I settled in, Jeremy approached my table. He placed his tray down, his characteristic smirk in tow.
"Hey there, I never got your name," he remarked.
Suddenly, it felt as though every eye in the cafeteria was on us. I had always been the unnoticed, insignificant girl, and now this charming guy was sitting right in front of me.
"Stop calling me that," I responded, attempting to sound assertive, though my nervousness betrayed me.
"What? 'Pretty'? I don't know your name, and you're beautiful, so I'll keep calling you 'pretty' until you tell me your name."
"Jessica," I replied.
"What?"
"My name's Jessica, Jessica Williams."
"Ah, that's why you seemed familiar, 'Pretty.' You used to be my brother's little friend when we were kids."
"Please, stop calling me 'pretty' now. I already told you my name."
I couldn't quite put my finger on why I disliked being called 'pretty' by him, but I did. Perhaps it was because my father always made me feel like I was the ugliest person alive, and that perception had grown on me.
"You're genuinely beautiful, Jessica," he said, as if he had just made a profound realization.