"Graduation is coming up soon," Leiyah said to Freya.
The two had been best friends since elementary school. They were so close that they were basically each other's diary.
"I know, right? Feels like we were just in seventh grade. And remember how you said you might not even make it to tenth because you'd get stressed out?" Freya laughed.
"Wow, and you didn't even cry back then while we were doing that math assignment," Leiyah teased.
As they joked around in the hallway, Leiyah noticed Freya wasn't paying attention. Her gaze was fixed on the building across the way—straight at Liam.
Liam, Freya's childhood friend and neighbor. They'd spent nearly every day together since they were little. But now, Liam seemed different to her.
"Hey, Freya. He might melt if you stare too long," Leiyah nudged. "You're always looking at him during recess."
"Is it my fault he's cute and my eyes keep finding him?" Freya whispered.
"Why don't you just tell him how you feel?" Leiyah asked.
"If only I could," Freya sighed. "I've tried before. I even gave him flowers and confessed, but he just laughed… we were kids back then anyway."
"Then try again now," Leiyah said with a sly grin. "We're graduating. Maybe this is your chance."
"I'm scared… what if he doesn't like me? And it becomes awkward after," Freya admitted sadly.
Ever since she was little, Freya had secretly liked Liam. She fell for his gentlemanly ways—always thoughtful and kind to her.
Back then, she loved giving him hibiscus flowers and saying, "I like you, Liam." But because they were kids, Liam just laughed it off and didn't pay much attention.
As Liam grew older, he became the campus crush—not just for his looks, but for his simple, nonchalant charm. Almost every day, someone would confess to him, but he seemed to not care at all.
Instead of hanging out in the canteen, Liam was often found studying, even during recess. That only made Freya fall harder—his diligence, intelligence, and simple way of being himself.
The next morning, Freya arrived at school early. She went straight to the library—her favorite spot. She loved reading, and almost every day, she would meet Leiyah there.
But today, it wasn't Leiyah she found—it was Liam.
It was the first time she had seen him enter the library. Freya knew he disliked crowded places; he preferred to study quietly, alone.
She noticed him heading toward the Math section—his favorite subject.
Her eyes followed his every move until their gaze met.
Freya's cheeks immediately burned.
Oh my gosh. He looked at me? WHUTT—
Before she could recover, Liam sat at a nearby table—close to her. Freya couldn't focus on the book in her hands. She tried to read, but all she could think about was Liam.
Why is he here? This is so weird. I've never seen him in the library before. But of course, it's not like I have the right to decide where he goes…
No matter what she did, she couldn't stay calm. In the end, she decided to leave and come back later. She was busy packing her things when Leiyah arrived.
"Hey, Freya. You leaving already?" she asked.
"Ah, y-yeah… you're just… so slow," Freya stammered.
Leiyah immediately noticed her friend's flustered expression. "But you're always the one waiting for me."
Freya didn't respond and just pulled her friend out of the library. As they walked back to class, she told Leiyah everything that had happened.
After hearing the story, Leiyah burst out laughing.
"Wow, Freya. You're so weak," she said, shaking her head, clearly teasing.
"Literally, Liam just sat near you, and you almost collapsed?"
"I didn't…" Freya protested weakly, her cheeks turning red.
"Oh my gosh!" Leiyah laughed. "If I were you, I would've screamed, 'Hi, crush!' and closed my eyes!"
Freya rolled her eyes and hid her face behind her notebook. "Leiyah, stop it."
"Fine, fine," Leiyah stopped laughing but still grinned. "But seriously, Freya… if you're always like this, how are you ever going to confess your feelings? Even just eye contact makes you float away."
As they walked and laughed together, someone suddenly called out.
"Freya…"
They both froze.
Freya slowly turned—and almost lost her breath when she saw who it was.
Liam.