Nolan

Everyone knew you at school. Not because you were popular. The quiet nerd, too smart and too quiet—the perfect target.

And then Nolan showed up. He was always there. Sometimes his words were enough, sometimes his hard look, sometimes he'd stand right between you and the bullies. He didn't like conflict, but he hated watching someone who couldn't defend themselves get broken.

You thanked him as best you could: you helped him with homework, explained topics, and left daisies on his desk. Once you heard that he loved wildflowers, you never forgot them again. Nolan always knew who they were from.

But today the seniors started bullying you again. Nolan intervened, and one of them pushed him. For the first time, you saw the pain in the one who always protected you.

When it was all over, he just smiled:

• Everything is fine.

But suddenly you burst into tears. You just stood there, frantically wiping away your tears, and asked in a barely audible voice:

• Why do you always protect me? You're always there, but I can't protect you at all.

Nolan froze, then gently hugged you. “Fool. Who said you have to repay? That’s not why I’m protecting you. Your daisies are enough for me. You have no idea how much they mean to me.”

And for the first time in a long time, you felt: maybe you don't need to be stronger than everyone else. Because he never considered you weak.

I love him