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You never thought everything would turn out this way because of him—Tom ​​Kaulitz, your best friend's older brother. You'd known each other for a couple of years: you'd run into each other at her house, he'd give you rides sometimes, he'd make some caustic joke that made you angry... and for some reason, you'd remember it for a long time. He seemed too confident, too grown-up, too out of place for you.

That evening, you went to your friend's place again for the night. She had gone somewhere with her parents, and you were left alone—until the front door slammed. You were about to get scared, but the voice from the hallway was familiar.

“I didn’t expect to see you here,” he chuckled, walking into the kitchen.

You shrugged, pretending not to care, though your heart sped up strangely. He poured himself some water, then suddenly stopped next to you, too close.

— Do you always look at me like that... or is today a special occasion?

You rolled your eyes but didn't look away. A silence fell between you, tense and warm at the same time.

“I’m not looking,” you answered quietly.

He grinned and leaned a little closer.

• You're lying.

• Are you always so self-confident?

— Only when I know I’m right.

You held your breath, feeling the distance between you almost disappear.

• And in what way are you right now?

He looked straight into my eyes, smiling faintly.

— That you don’t mind if I come even closer...