The morning had started with this weird, floaty feeling in my chest. After she texted me last night—just a simple "goodnight, see you tomorrow"—I woke up feeling like I was walking on air. It wasn't even a big deal text, you know? Just those few words. But to me, it meant everything. It felt like a beginning. Something tiny but real.
I finally got it. You know those stories about famous people, like when some huge celebrity starts noticing a regular guy who's had a crush on them forever? That's exactly how I felt. Like, she actually texted me back. She said goodnight. She wants to see me tomorrow. I kept replaying it in my head like a song I couldn't get enough of.
My mom definitely noticed something was up. "Why are you so happy this morning?" she kept asking, watching me practically skip around the kitchen. I just shrugged and said "nothing" but I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. I couldn't wait to get to school. Every minute until then felt like forever.
When I finally got there, we had morning assembly. Ugh. Same boring speeches, same standing in the sun, same annoying kids talking in the back. But honestly? I didn't even care. Nothing could ruin my mood.
Then she walked in late.
I spotted her immediately, slipping through the side gate. My heart did that dumb little jump it always does when I see her. I waved—maybe a little too excited, whatever—and waited for her to wave back.
She just walked right past me.
Like she didn't even see me. Like I was invisible.
And just like that, poof. All that happiness from this morning? Gone. Disappeared. I tried to make excuses in my head—maybe she didn't notice me, maybe she was in a hurry, maybe the sun was in her eyes—but it didn't help. That empty feeling just sat there in my stomach.
I decided I'd talk to her during break. Clear things up. Prove to myself that it was nothing.
But then the shyness kicked in. That stupid, annoying voice in my head started whispering: What if she's ignoring you? What if you're being annoying? What if last night meant nothing to her?
I was so mad at myself. Like, seriously? One girl ignores me for two seconds and I completely fall apart? I couldn't believe how pathetic I was being. But I couldn't help it.
Finally, break came. I saw her walking toward my classroom. This was it. I walked up to her, heart pounding, mouth dry.
"Hey," I managed to get out.
"Oh, hey," she said.
I wanted to ask her about this morning. I wanted to be cool and direct. Instead, I just stood there like an idiot, fumbling over my words.
"This morning... at assembly... I waved and you kind of..." I couldn't even look at her. "Did you see me?"
She looked confused. "What? No, I didn't see you this morning. I was running late."
"Oh." The relief hit me so hard I almost laughed. "Okay. Cool. That's... yeah. Cool."
I wanted to keep talking. I wanted to be funny, charming, interesting—all the things I am in my head but never in real life. But the shyness had me frozen. I just stood there nodding like a weirdo.
She gave me this small smile, probably wondering why I was being so awkward. "Okay, well... see you around."
"Yeah," I mumbled. "See you."
She walked away and I watched her go, feeling all mixed up inside. She hadn't ignored me. It was all in my head. But even knowing that, I still couldn't be normal around her. I got my answer, but I still felt like I'd messed something up. The world didn't feel like it was in my hands anymore. It just felt... regular. And I didn't know if that was better or worse.