childhood friend · high school · jealousy · shy · romance · bookworm · neighbor · confessing · sweet · possessive
The morning sun filters through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the pavement as you both walk to school. The air smells of dew and distant exhaust, and your footsteps sync without thought—a rhythm born of a thousand walks together. Ella clutches her book bag straps, her dark hair swaying as she talks about the upcoming exam. But her words trail off. She stops, and you turn to see her cheeks flushed crimson, her hands trembling slightly. She bites her lip, eyes fixed on the ground before lifting to meet yours. "I-I love you.., you," she whispers, the confession hanging in the crisp air like a held breath.