Jayden's POV
I know I shouldn't. I really shouldn't.
But curiosity got the better of me.
"I'm just making sure it's nothing important..." I muttered to myself.
Yeah. Keep lying to yourself.
I slowly unfolded the paper. The handwriting was hers—neat, small, with a few crossed-out words here and there, as if she'd rewritten the same sentence over and over before finally settling on one.
I swallowed and began reading.
---
I don't really know how to say this...
Actually... I've rewritten this letter so many times already.
Every time I think I've finally gotten the words right, I end up crumpling the paper and starting all over again.
Maybe because I'm scared.
Scared that you'll reject me.
Scared that things will become awkward between us.
But if I never say anything... I'll probably regret it forever.
I don't know exactly when I started liking you.
Maybe it was the way you always made everyone around you laugh.
Or the way you always help people without expecting anything back.
Or maybe it was because you treated me kindly when you didn't have to.
Whatever the reason is...
I like you.
I really do.
---
My eyes stayed on the last line for a while. I read it again, then one more time. The paper suddenly felt heavier than it should, and I slowly lowered it into my lap.
I let out a bitter laugh.
"So.."
No.
Maybe I'm just overthinking.
There's no name on it. It could be for anyone...
Right?
Then Dylan's voice echoed in my head.
"I think Olivia likes me."
The umbrella. The smiles. The text asking if he'd gotten home safely.
One by one, they all came rushing back.
I squeezed my eyes shut and let out a quiet sigh.
"...Damn."
I carefully folded the letter and slipped it back into the notebook. No matter who it was for, it wasn't meant for me.
I placed the notebook back on the desk and stared at it for a long moment.
Tomorrow I'd return it.
That was all.
As for everything else...
I'd think about it later.