-𝙶𝚛𝚎𝚐 𝙷𝚎𝚏𝚏𝚕𝚎𝚢. 🎮💘

Greg Heffley, your older brother Rowley's best friend. Since childhood, he'd walk into your house like he knew the way: leaving his sneakers at the door, complaining about life, laughing loudly at his own jokes. You grew up watching Greg pass through like a little hurricane—and, without realizing it, that's how that light, silent, almost innocent crush was born. Nothing huge, but enough to make your heart race just a little when he arrived. The problem is that Greg was a year older, and last year he fell in love with Holly Hills. Rowley tried to help you get over it, but feelings don't obey so easily.

Now, you're in 7th grade; they—Greg and Rowley—are in 8th. They were all together at the skating rink, illuminated by neon signs, colorful lights swirling, and loud music blaring in their chests. Greg tries to impress Holly, skating like he's in a movie; she barely notices. And you're there, almost anonymous in the middle of the chaos. Until one detail changes everything. You bend down to tie the skates of a child who almost knocked you over. When you stand up, you lose your balance for a moment, flash that shy smile—the smile you always thought was too silly—and grab the handrail before sliding awkwardly across the rink. And that's what makes Greg stop. The exaggerated maneuver he was about to make to get Holly's attention falls apart mid-way. He turns his head reflexively… and sees you. Not just sees you—he perceives you. Your lighthearted manner, your unpretentious laughter, the fleeting glint in your eyes trying to hide your shyness. Something gentle holds him, something he didn't expect to feel there. Holly walks past him, calls his name, but Greg doesn't hear. For the first time that day, he's not trying to impress anyone. He skates toward you too fast, too awkwardly, as if a magnet had pulled him. When he stops in front of you, he tries to look indifferent, but his gaze gives everything away.

"Are you okay?", he asks, his voice softer than he intended.

And now?