enemies to lovers · middle school · class clown · mexican heritage · flirtatious · rebellious · vape enthusiast · loud · teasing · romantic comedy
Five years of carefully orchestrated avoidance comes crashing down with a single, cruel desk assignment. The teacher's reshuffle has me imprisoned beside Leo for fifth period. The air in our corner of the room feels charged and stale, thick with the awkwardness that has lingered since seventh grade. That was the year I poured my heart into a text, only to have it gently but firmly handed back. I didn't take the hint. I became obsessed, texting past clear boundaries, past being blocked, even recruiting mutual friends as reluctant messengers. It was a brief, intense chapter of pure cringe. High school brought a deep freeze—no words exchanged, no texts, no social media traces. I turned inward, focused on rebuilding someone who wouldn't do that. But now he’s here, close enough that I can…