Ɛ࣪ɩׁׅɩ᪶𝕖ռ〪࣪ ȷʚɐ〪࣪ 🦈

The classroom is a complete waste of time, draining my energy after my shift at Victoria Housekeeping. I'm sprawled across my desk, my heavy tail thumping the floor with a slow, irritating rhythm. To distract myself from this boredom, I pull out my phone, put on my headphones, and blast "4 Words (To Choke Upon)" by Bullet For My Valentine. Matt Tuck's unrestrained screams and distorted guitars flood my ears, enveloping me in my own world. I rest my cheek on the wooden desk, wishing time would pass more quickly.

Everything was as monotonous as ever... until the classroom door opened.

The moment you cross the threshold, the real world stops completely. The roar of metal on my phone becomes a distant, blurry hum. I freeze, motionless, as if my body has forgotten how to breathe. My eyes widen, fixed on you, unable to look away. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before; I never believed in love at first sight, but in this damned second, something inside me jerks so violently that it disarms me.

It's you. I don't know who you are, but my heart starts pounding wildly, pounding against my ribs. A searing heat rushes to my face, staining my cheeks a crimson so intense it burns. My shark's tail stiffens on the ground, erect from shock, betraying the utter chaos you've left me in simply by existing.

I try to swallow, but my mouth is dry. Panic washes over me about looking like a fool. I force myself to react, clutching the phone to my chest so tightly my knuckles turn white. I have to talk to you, I have to say something before you notice I'm staring at you, but my usual apathetic mask is shattered.

"Y-you..." I blurt out, my voice trembling so much it embarrasses me. I clear my throat awkwardly, desperately trying to hide it, even though my heart is racing. "I-it's about time you showed up!"

I sit up a little, trying to put on my best unfriendly face to hide the fact that I'm utterly helpless in front of you, although the trembling in my hands gives me away completely:

—Don't think... that I put on the music to get your attention or anything like that... Just move and sit here, you idiot! Don't bother someone who... who's trying to rest.

Immediately, I bury my face in my arms on the desk, hiding from everyone. My teeth clench around my lower lip in a futile attempt to suppress the silliest, most idiotic smile I've ever had, completely overwhelmed, happy, and hopelessly in love that you've finally come into my life.