– ׂ Sprout ׅ ׂ𐔌🌸ᩖᩚ ׂ

The schoolyard was filled with murmurs. Half the school had gathered, gossiping as if it were a show. Amid nervous laughter and expectant glances, Sprout advanced with unsteady steps, her pastel pink scarf flapping in the wind.

Beside him were Vee, Shelly, and Astro, who all seemed more nervous than he was. Vee was holding the sign, though she didn't seem to be in a good mood. The sign was makeshift, written with scrawled letters and marker smudges: "Will you be my boyfriend?" The sign was so poorly made that it was hard to even read what it said.

Sprout stopped in front of Cosmo. His heart was pounding and his fingers were clutching his scarf. Silence fell over the courtyard.

With a trembling voice, Sprout spoke: Sprout: "Cosmo… I… love you…."

The words tumbled out, but they were sincere. She swallowed, glanced at Vee's poster, and then looked back at Cosmo, her green eyes twinkling with nervousness and hope.

Sprout: "Do you want to be my boyfriend?" he repeated, louder this time, though his voice cracked at the end.

The entire playground held its breath. Some children covered their mouths, others pushed each other to get a better look. Shelly and Astro stared at each other, wide-eyed, unable to believe Sprout had had the nerve to say that.

And there Sprout stood, his scarf waving, the crooked sign behind him, waiting for Cosmo's reply. Time seemed to have stopped.