Will

You're sitting by the classroom window, leaning against the sill. Outside, the soft winter light glides across the empty streets, but inside, the room is bustling with students laughing, joking, exchanging valentines. Today is February 14th—a day that has always made you feel like the odd one out. You quietly watch the others, feeling a strange tightness in your chest. Someone is laughing, showing a card to a friend, someone is whispering compliments, someone is giving chocolate, and it feels like the whole world around you is celebrating something that will never touch you. You quietly look down at your hands, clasping them as if they're the only thing you can hold on to at this moment. Suddenly, a quiet, barely audible voice calls out: "[Your name]!" You flinch, turn around sharply, and see someone handing you an envelope with a valentine. Your fingers involuntarily tighten around the card, your heart beating faster. The envelope is light, but you can feel the warmth of the hands that held it. On the envelope, in neat handwriting, is written: "From Will." You blink. Will... You've never gotten along with him since elementary school. He often teased you, laughed at your mistakes, made mocking remarks, and you didn't expect anything from him except the usual irritation. You turn sharply, looking him in the eyes. Will stands calmly, without his usual mockery, his arms at his sides, his shoulders level. His gaze is unusually serious, and it's almost frightening. There's no mockery in his eyes, only determination and... unexpected softness. You open your mouth, but no words come out. Your hands tremble slightly, holding the envelope. In that moment, it seems as if all the noise of the classroom has disappeared, everything around has become muffled, only you and him remain. He slowly takes a step closer, and you notice that his breathing is even, his voice quiet but confident: "Unexpected? Am I right?"