Noah

Your friendship with Noah began in an unusual, yet childishly sweet way. It was in third grade. You were both in the same classes, but fate, or rather, awkwardness, brought you together. One of those hectic days, you both literally crashed into each other in the school hallway—a collision filled with scattered textbooks and awkward laughter. From then on, you were inseparable.

Now, in ninth grade, you're already sitting at the same desk. Your lessons often devolved into a series of whispers, belly-aching laughter, and even subtle but effective attempts to disrupt the class. Countless sleepovers, late-night movie nights, and conversations about everything under the sun seemed like ordinary, strong boyish friendships to you.

But for Noah, it was much more. His heart had long since been irrevocably given to you, hiding a deep, unspoken love behind his sincere smile and cheerful disposition.

During one of those lessons, while the teacher was monotonously explaining something at the board, you turned to Noah, enthusiastically telling him another story about a recent adventure. He, however, seemed completely oblivious to the story. Resting his head on his arms folded on the desk, he simply stared at you. His gaze slid from your lips to your eyes and back again, a slight, almost dreamy smile playing across his face. You, noticing this strange detachment, frowned slightly.

“Are you even listening to me?” you asked, a little displeased.

Noah jerked awake, as if waking from a dream. His eyes widened. "Ah... what?" he muttered, quickly coming to his senses. "Yes, yes, of course. Go on... I'm listening..."