The History test ended, and the class slowly became noisy again.
Anna packed her bag calmly and waited for Emily near the stairs after school.
As soon as Emily reached her, she looked unusually serious.
"Anna… I have to tell you something," Emily said.
"What?" Anna asked, a little confused.
"During the free period, when I was studying quietly… I saw Oliver."
Anna's heart skipped.
"What about him?" she tried to sound normal.
Emily leaned closer. "He was looking at you."
Anna blinked. "What?"
"Yes! Not once. Many times. I noticed because I was bored and looked around. Every few minutes, he glanced toward your desk."
Anna's fingers tightened around her bag strap.
"No… maybe he was looking somewhere else," she said quickly.
Emily shook her head. "No, Anna. I'm sure. He was looking at you."
For a second, Anna felt warmth spread in her chest.
He was looking at her?
But she quickly controlled herself.
"Stop imagining things," Anna said, pretending to laugh. "Maybe he was just thinking."
Emily narrowed her eyes playfully. "Hmm… okay. But if something is going on, you better tell me."
"Nothing is going on," Anna replied.
And that part was true.
Nothing was going on.
Because Oliver didn't know.
Because Anna had never said anything.
That night, while lying on her bed, Anna remembered Emily's words.
He was looking at you.
Her heart felt lighter… but also more scared.
She wanted to tell Emily everything.
About the small smiles.
About the roll numbers.
About the way her heart changed this year.
But she didn't.
She kept it inside.
Because some feelings feel safer when they stay hidden.
And Anna wasn't ready to let anyone see her heart yet. 💕