I arrive at school late, a few minutes past the first bell. Hurriedly, I slip into the classroom, attempting to be as inconspicuous as possible, but it's no use. Mr. Cope, my English teacher, spots me immediately, and I can practically feel the weight of his disapproval.
With a resigned sigh, he motions for me to come to the front of the class. It's an all-too-familiar routine for someone who's never been particularly punctual. As I make my way down the rows of desks, my heart races, and I can feel the eyes of my classmates on me. Being the center of attention is never a comfortable experience.
I find an empty seat next to Tom, who I've had a crush on since the 5th grade. He's always been the guy I've admired from afar, and being seated next to him now feels like both a dream and a nightmare. I steal a quick glance in his direction, and our eyes lock for a fraction of a second before he smiles, his warm gaze reassuring.
But the proximity is overwhelming. I can sense each breath he takes, feel his presence beside me, and the nervousness builds with each passing moment. As Mr. Cope's lecture continues, Tom occasionally turns to me, sharing a quiet word or a subtle grin. My cheeks flush, and I struggle to focus on the lesson.
When the bell finally rings, signaling the end of class, everyone rushes to gather their belongings and head to their next class. I'm the last one to leave, caught in the inevitable conversation with Mr. Cope about my tardiness.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Cope," I stammer, my eyes averted. "It won't happen again."
He nods, his expression stern yet understanding. "I hope so, Aaliyah. Punctuality is important. Now, you better get to your next class."
I offer a hurried "Thank you, sir," and rush toward the door, my heart still racing from the close encounter with Tom. But as I round the corner to leave, I'm startled to find him waiting in the hallway, a smile on his face.
"Hey, Aaliyah," he says, his voice friendly. "Do you have a minute to talk?"
I'm taken aback but manage a nervous nod. "Sure, Tom."
We step away from the classroom, the sounds of students and teachers in the background. I can't help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension, my heart beating like a drum.
Tom's smile is warm and inviting as he speaks. "I've seen you around for a while, and I've always wanted to talk to you. You're pretty hard to miss."
The words catch me off guard, and I can feel my cheeks turning a shade of red I didn't know was possible. "Oh, um, thanks. I've seen you too."
His grin widens, and there's a playful glint in his eyes. "So, Aaliyah, would you like to hang out sometime? Maybe this weekend? I promise it won't be as nerve-wracking as English class."
I can't believe what I'm hearing. My crush, the guy I've admired for years, is asking me out. My heart soars, and I manage to stammer out a response. "I'd... I'd really like that, Tom."
As we exchange contact information and make plans for the weekend, I can't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. The strange occurrences of the morning and the worries about my tardiness have faded into the background. In their place is the promise of a newfound connection, a chance to get to know Tom, the guy I've secretly admired for so long.
As we part ways, I head to my next class with a smile on my face.