The rest of the school day felt impossible. Neither Aiden nor Mia could focus after what had happened in class. Every time one of them accidentally looked at the other, they immediately remembered the questions, the shouting, and the fact that both of them had basically admitted they liked someone. It was embarrassing. Extremely embarrassing. Yet somehow, neither of them could stop thinking about it.
By lunch, the entire school seemed convinced they had witnessed the biggest romance reveal in history. Students whispered when Aiden walked by. Students whispered when Mia walked by. Some students even whispered when they were nowhere near each other. It was ridiculous.
"I can't do this anymore," Aiden muttered.
Noah looked up from his lunch.
"Do what?"
"Exist."
"Bit dramatic."
"I'm serious."
"You always say that."
"Because it's always true."
Noah laughed.
Across the cafeteria, Mia was having a similar experience.
"So who is it?" Sophie asked.
"No one."
"Mia."
"What?"
"You literally admitted you like someone."
"I did not."
"You basically did."
Mia groaned and buried her face in her hands.
Sophie looked far too pleased with herself.
Later that afternoon, the student council announced preparations for the school's charity event. Volunteers were needed to help organize booths, activities, and decorations. Most students ignored the announcement. Aiden planned on ignoring it too.
Then the teacher started assigning volunteers.
Which was unfortunate.
"Aiden Scott."
Aiden immediately looked up.
"No."
The teacher ignored him.
"Mia Anderson."
Mia blinked.
"Oh."
The teacher smiled.
"You two will be working together."
The entire classroom exploded.
Again.
"Oh my God."
"No way."
"Called it."
"THIS IS BETTER THAN TV."
Aiden dropped his head onto his desk.
Mia looked like she wanted to disappear.
Noah was practically crying from laughter.
The teacher looked confused.
"Why is everyone reacting like that?"
Nobody answered.
Because nobody wanted detention.
After class, Aiden and Mia found themselves walking toward the student council room together. Neither seemed quite sure what to say. The awkwardness from earlier still lingered between them. Not bad awkwardness. Just... different awkwardness.
Finally, Mia broke the silence.
"This is your fault."
Aiden looked offended.
"My fault?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"I don't know yet."
Aiden laughed.
"That's not how blame works."
"It is today."
For the first time all day, both of them relaxed a little.
When they reached the student council room, they were given a simple task: organize decorations and inventory supplies. It sounded easy.
It wasn't.
Mostly because neither of them could focus properly.
At one point, Mia accidentally counted the same box three times.
At another point, Aiden spent almost a full minute staring at a clipboard upside down.
Neither acknowledged it.
Neither wanted to.
Eventually, Mia sighed.
"This is hopeless."
Aiden nodded.
"A little."
A moment of silence followed. The room was empty except for the two of them. Outside, students were already heading home. The afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows, painting everything in shades of gold.
Mia looked down at the list in her hands.
Then spoke quietly.
"Can I ask you something?"
Aiden's heart immediately sped up.
"Depends."
"Why do you always say that?"
"Depends."
Mia rolled her eyes.
Despite herself, she smiled.
"Aiden."
"Yeah?"
"Who do you like?"
Silence.
Complete silence.
Aiden stared at her.
Mia stared back.
Neither moved.
Neither looked away.
For one terrifying second, Aiden considered telling her the truth.
The whole truth.
Right there.
Right then.
Instead, he smiled nervously.
"Nice try."
Mia immediately groaned.
"You are impossible."
"So I've been told."
"Several times."
"Daily."
Mia laughed.
The tension eased slightly.
But not completely.
Because neither of them had missed the fact that neither one had answered the question.
As they finished organizing supplies, both found themselves stealing glances at the other. Small ones. Quick ones. The kind they hoped would go unnoticed.
Unfortunately for them...
The other always noticed.
And somewhere deep down, both of them were starting to realize something.
The problem wasn't figuring out who they liked.
The problem was finding the courage to finally say it.