It was another ordinary morning at Cedar Heights Academy, except… somehow, my life had started feeling less ordinary.
I was walking to class, trying not to trip over my own shoelaces (impossible), when I noticed Eden leaning against the lockers, reading one of those thick science books like it was a romance novel. Somehow, that nerdy confidence of his made my stomach do that stupid flutter thing.
He looked up, catching me staring, and gave a small smile. Not loud, not flashy—just a quiet, calm smile that somehow said, I see you.
The First Conversation"Hey," he said softly when I reached his locker.
"Hey," I replied, heart beating too fast, because even "hey" felt like an epic performance in front of the hallway full of gossiping students.
"I… I was wondering," he began, hesitating, "if maybe… you'd like to… hang out sometime? Just the two of us. No chaos. No… Stella and crew."
I blinked. Did he just… ask me out?
"Uh… yeah," I said, trying to sound casual. "I'd like that." My brain was screaming: Don't trip. Don't trip. Don't trip.
He smiled faintly, closing his book. "Cool. Tomorrow, after school?"
"Tomorrow works," I said, trying not to hyperventilate. I may have smiled like a total idiot.
Maya's ReactionLater, Maya caught up with me before class.
"You're glowing," she whispered, nudging me gently. "Don't forget to breathe. And don't let the rich girls ruin it."
"I… I don't know what's happening," I admitted. "I mean… Eden… he asked me out. Just… quietly. No big spectacle. And I said yes."
Maya's eyes sparkled. "Aisha, that's beautiful. God is so good. Just… enjoy it. Keep your heart, and let Him guide you."
The Rich Girls NoticeOf course, word didn't take long to spread. Stella, Serena, Tiffany, and Vanessa somehow found out.
"So… Eden likes you?" Stella asked, trying to hide her irritation behind a fake smile.
"Yes," I said calmly, holding my head high. I didn't want to give them the satisfaction of seeing me flustered.
"Interesting," Vanessa said, tilting her head. "We'll see how long that lasts."
I shrugged. "Sure… but for now, it's none of your business."
The First "Date"The next day after school, Eden met me by the school gate. No big gestures, no loud announcements, just… him, me, and a quiet smile.
We walked to the small park nearby, talking about random things: books, classes, funny moments from yesterday's cafeteria disaster. I laughed so hard I snorted once. He didn't laugh at me—he just smiled like he thought it was adorable.
At one point, he reached for my hand, not loudly, not dramatically… just gently. My heart skipped a beat, and I realized… this was the kind of start that actually mattered. Quiet, steady, and real.
Maya had been right: sometimes, the best things don't happen in a dramatic, loud way. Sometimes, they just… happen, and you notice them slowly, and then one day, you're holding hands with the person you like without anyone making a big deal.
And that's how it started. Eden and I, quietly navigating high school chaos, rich-girl sabotage, and our own insecurities—together.