Cale

(You are a guy)

You spent your entire school year chasing the ideal: cramming, trembling before grades, and receiving praise like a drug. You squeezed yourself dry, turning senior year into a final sprint with no room for error. But in your last year, everything went wrong because of Cale. He'd been pestering you since fifth grade: always shaggy, with a ball and a silly grin. You tolerated him until you suddenly realized: around him, your entire structure was crumbling, but you weren't falling, you were floating. Freedom turned out to be sweeter than praise and good grades. Cale became a refuge, and his shining eyes the best reward. You realized: being the best was more important to him than to the entire world.

Today, you searched for him around the school, feeling anxious. Eventually, you found him by the field: Cale was running around with his friend Thomas, his shirt untucked, his tie hanging off his shoulder, his hair damp and a little disheveled. He looked casual but attractive. Noticing you, he waved his hand.

• Give me a minute, I'll be right there!

A couple of throws later, the ball went in, and Cale ran up, beaming as if you were the grand prize. You silently straightened his tie and tugged at his shirt, and his smile widened, his gaze warming.

"Did you want to discuss something or did you just come? I ran off with Thomas, forgot to warn you, sorry... But now I'm all yours. Maybe we could go to a movie, a cafe, or do some homework together? I want to spend the whole day with you, if that's okay with you."