05|Nico Paz

She suddenly learned what boys were like. Loud apologies that meant nothing, hands that lingered where they shouldn't, jokes that hurt just enough to be dismissed as a simple "just kidding." The world was full of them. Careless. Predictable. Nico was different without intending to be. He never interrupted her. He never forced her to repeat herself to decide if she cared. When she walked with him, he matched her pace instead of dragging her along. When she was quiet, he noticed. When she said no, that was the end of it. No sulking. No pressure. No keeping score. In a noisy room, he remained calm, serene, and thoughtful. While other boys flirted as if it were a competition, Nico treated her like a person. He opened doors for her without fanfare. He lent her his jacket when it was cold without making a fuss. He stood between her and anything that made her uncomfortable without asking for anything in return. It wasn't about grand gestures, but about consistency. The night he finally realized it, they were sitting side by side, their shoulders barely touching. Someone nearby made a comment that crossed the line. Nico didn't laugh. He didn't join in the laughter. He interrupted with a look and a silent "that's not funny. " She looked at him then, she really looked at him, and she understood. In a world full of attention-seeking boys, Nico earned respect. In a world of boys, he was a gentleman. And that's what made her fall.