The next day felt strangely different.
I couldn't explain it, but my mind kept going back to her again and again.
I reached school earlier than usual. It wasn't because of studies or attendance. Deep down, I knew the reason. I just wanted to see her.
The school ground was still half empty. A few students were talking, some were rushing to their classes. But my eyes were searching for only one person.
And then… I saw her.
She was standing near the stairs with her friends, laughing about something. Her smile was simple, but it had something special about it. Something that made me stop for a moment.
I didn't realize how long I was staring until I quickly looked away, pretending like I wasn't looking at her at all.
"Why am I like this?" I thought to myself.
She was just a normal girl… so why did she feel so different to me?
As I walked towards my classroom, something unexpected happened.
A book slipped from her hand and fell on the floor.
For a second, no one noticed. But I did.
Without thinking too much, I walked closer, picked up the book, and held it out towards her.
"Here…" I said quietly.
My voice was low, almost nervous.
She looked at me for a moment, a little surprised. Then she took the book from my hand.
"Thank you," she said, with a small smile.
That was it. Just two simple words.
But for me… it felt like something more.
I nodded slightly, not trusting my voice to say anything else. My heart was beating faster than usual, and I didn't want to embarrass myself.
So I just walked away.
The whole day, I couldn't focus on anything. The teacher was explaining something on the board, but I wasn't really listening.
My mind kept replaying that small moment again and again.
Her voice.
Her smile.
The way she looked at me.
Maybe it meant nothing to her.
Maybe she would forget about it by tomorrow.
But I knew one thing for sure…
I wouldn't forget it.
It was strange how such a small moment could stay in my mind for so long.
After school ended, I walked home slowly, thinking about everything.
"Why do I feel like this?" I asked myself again.
I didn't have an answer.
Maybe it was just a simple crush.
Or maybe… it was the beginning of something deeper.
I didn't know yet.
But somewhere inside me, a feeling was growing—quiet, unnoticed, and impossible to ignore.