The classroom was alive with movement, the hum of conversation blending with the occasional scrape of chairs against the floor. Vee remained focused on her notes, ignoring the lingering glances from her classmates. She had learned to block out distractions a long time ago.
Yet, there was one distraction she wasn’t expecting.
The boy sitting directly in front of her.
She recognized him the moment she took her seat. The same one she had collided with earlier in the hallway. The boy with dark skin, sharp features, and an air of quiet detachment. He hadn’t acknowledged her since she sat down—not a glance, not a word.
It was almost as if their earlier run-in had never happened.
Vee didn’t mind. She wasn’t in the habit of forcing conversations. Still, there was something about him—how he kept to himself, how he seemed unaffected by the eyes watching her. It was different.
But she didn’t even know his name.
And she wasn’t about to ask.
The lesson continued, stretching into the usual rhythm of explanations and note-taking. Vee absorbed it all with ease, her pen moving swiftly across the page. The moment the bell rang, signaling the end of class, the atmosphere shifted.
Desks screeched as students stood, chatting excitedly about where to go next. Some of the boys in class were still stealing glances at her, nudging each other as if debating who should approach first.
Vee ignored them.
She was sliding her books into her bag when she heard it.
A girl’s voice rang out from the front of the classroom.
Vee didn’t mean to react, but her hand froze for a split second.
The boy in front of her moved—just slightly. He didn’t turn around immediately but continued gathering his things with unhurried movements.
Vee looked up to see a blonde girl standing near the front, arms crossed, a teasing smirk on her lips. She was tall and effortlessly confident, her sharp blue eyes locked onto him with familiarity.
“You’re not ignoring me, are you?” she asked, tilting her head.
William exhaled quietly, finally lifting his gaze to meet hers. “No,” he murmured.
The girl grinned, clearly used to his quiet responses. “Library, remember? Or have you decided to ditch me again?”
William shook his head, slinging his bag over his shoulder. “I’m coming,” he said simply.
The girl rolled her eyes but laughed. “Wow. Two whole words. Someone’s feeling chatty today.”
He didn’t respond, just gave her a look that made her chuckle. “Come on, let’s go before all the good seats are taken.”
William nodded, following her out.
Vee watched the interaction, something unreadable settling in her chest.
William.
So that was his name.
She didn’t know why it mattered. But as she finally stood and made her way out of the classroom, she had the strangest feeling that they might ended up being best friends.
Mr. Holloway stood at the front of the classroom, his gaze scanning the students as he finalized the group assignments.
“For this project,” he announced, “I’ve assigned you into groups of three. Each team will prepare a debate on an assigned topic. You’ll be graded on research, teamwork, and presentation.”
Vee listened, only half-interested. Debates were nothing new to her. She was used to structured arguments, logical points, and public speaking. The real concern was whether her partners would pull their weight.
Mr. Holloway glanced at his list. “Vee, William, and Diana.”
Vee paused.
William?
She looked at the boy sitting in front of her—the same one she had collided with in the hallway, the same one who kept to himself, barely engaging with anyone.
And Diana? Vee barely knew her. She had seen her talking to William before, but they weren’t exactly friends.
“The topics are written on the board,” Mr. Holloway continued. “You’ll argue either for or against.” He turned to the class. “Any questions?”
No one spoke.
“Good. You have until next week to prepare. Work outside class if needed.”
With that, he picked up his files and exited the classroom, leaving the students to sort themselves out.
Vee was still processing the grouping when she heard a chair scrape against the floor. She looked up just as Diana pulled a seat beside William, facing Vee.
“So,” Diana said, arms crossed. “Looks like we’re working together.”
Vee didn’t reply immediately. She wasn’t sure what to expect from Diana. She was confident but not overly familiar.
Diana leaned back, eyes flicking toward the board. “Social Media: A Benefit or a Threat to Society?” She turned back to Vee. “What’s your take?”
Vee shrugged. “It’s obviously a benefit. It connects people, spreads information, and creates opportunities.”
Diana smirked. “And also invades privacy, spreads fake news, and makes people addicted.”
William, who had been silent all this while, finally spoke.
“Manipulation,” he said quietly.
Vee turned to him, slightly surprised.
He was still looking down, flipping to a fresh page in his notebook. His voice was low but certain, like he had already thought it through.
Vee chuckled. “Oh, so you do talk.”
William didn’t react.
Vee watched him for a second longer before shifting back to Diana.
“We can argue either side,” she admitted. “But if we go with threat, we’ll need solid evidence. We can’t just say social media is bad.”
Diana nodded. “True.”
She glanced at William, waiting for his input.
He simply picked up his pen and wrote something down.
Diana snorted. “That means he agrees.”
Vee tilted her head slightly. She had noticed how he never really reacted to anything. He didn’t argue. He didn’t push his opinions. He just was.
She had seen confidence before—she was confident herself—but William’s was different. It didn’t demand attention, but it was impossible to ignore.
Diana clapped her hands together. “Alright, I’ll research cyberbullying and privacy issues. Vee, you take addiction and misinformation. And William…” She smirked. “You’re in charge of structuring our arguments and rounding up.”
William let out a quiet sigh but nodded.
Vee watched him for a moment longer.
He still hadn’t looked at her properly, still hadn’t said much.
But something about him made her curious.
—
The atmosphere in the St. George High auditorium was charged with anticipation. Students filled the hall, some eager to prove themselves, others simply there to watch. The panel of teachers sat at the front, ready to judge the debate, while the student moderator stood at the podium, organizing the speaker list.
Vee sat at the long table assigned to her group, fingers lightly tapping against the surface. She was confident in her arguments, but her attention kept shifting to William, who sat beside her, silent as ever.
She had barely heard him speak since they were assigned the project. Even during group discussions, he mostly listened, taking notes but saying little.
Diana, on the other hand, was relaxed, scrolling through her notes. “Don’t look so serious, Vee,” she said with a smirk. “We’ve got this.”
Vee exhaled. She knew she had it. But did William?
The moderator cleared his throat, calling the room to order. “The debate topic: Social Media: A Benefit or a Threat to Society. Each team will present their stance, followed by rebuttals.”
The opposing team stood first, arguing for the benefits of social media. They highlighted its role in communication, business growth, and access to information. Their points were well-structured, but nothing Vee hadn’t prepared for.
Then, it was their turn.
Diana started strong, delivering their opening argument with confidence. She spoke about privacy issues, cyberbullying, and how social media distorted reality. She was engaging, making the audience nod in agreement.
Vee followed, tackling addiction and misinformation. She cited studies, real-life examples, and moments where social media had caused more harm than good. She was used to commanding a room, and by the time she finished, murmurs spread among the students.
Then, it was William’s turn.
Vee glanced at him, half-expecting him to hesitate.
But he didn’t.
William stood up, adjusting his blazer, and in a calm, steady voice, he began speaking.
“Social media is designed for engagement, but not always for the right reasons,” he said. “It’s not just about connection; it’s about control. Algorithms push content that keeps users hooked, whether it’s real or not. Companies profit from attention, even when that attention is fueled by misinformation and division.”
His voice was measured, smooth. Not rushed, not loud—just… steady. And every word was precise.
Vee blinked.
She was the only one surprised. The class, which had been filled with quiet whispers, fell completely silent. Even the teachers paid attention to him as if a president is giving a speech , people were interested to listen and to learn.
William continued, backing his points with facts. He countered the arguments of the other team effortlessly, pointing out how businesses, politicians, and even ordinary people manipulated social media to their advantage, often at the expense of the truth.
He wasn’t just stating facts—he was defending them with logic that left little room for debate.
Vee stared at him, stunned.
She had assumed he was just another smart but reserved student, someone uninterested in school events. But standing there, he wasn’t the shy, quiet boy from the hallway. He was confident, clear, and completely in control of the debate.
It was the first time she truly understood him.
William wasn’t here for popularity. He wasn’t here for attention.
He was here for academics.
And he was exceptional at it.
As he sat down, the audience remained quiet for a moment before applause broke out. Even the teachers nodded approvingly.
Diana nudged Vee, smirking. “Told you he talks.”
Vee didn’t respond. She was still watching William, who had gone right back to his usual silence, as if he hadn’t just dominated the entire debate.
And for the first time since she transferred to St. George, she was genuinely curious about someone other than herself.
The hallway was still lively long after the debate ended. Students crowded together in noisy groups, replaying the highlights.
“Diana was good.”
“Vee’s points were sharp.”
“But William—wow.”
It wasn’t his intelligence that surprised anyone.
Everyone at St. George High already knew William was brilliant—top scores, unbeatable presentations, perfect grades.
What stunned them today was the rare times seeing Williams speaking :
It was rare.
Almost once in a year thing.
While the chatter filled the hallway, William moved silently through the crowd, keeping his gaze lowered. He walked quickly, slipping away like someone desperate to disappear back into the quiet.
But someone noticed.
Vee.
She watched him leave, her gaze following him down the corridor. He wasn’t walking like a person who had just impressed an entire auditorium. He looked… tense. Like he wanted to escape.
Before she could question herself, she followed.
“William,” she called gently.
He paused on the staircase, hand resting on the railing. He didn’t turn completely—just enough to show he heard her.
Vee stepped closer. “You were incredible.”
William blinked, almost startled by the compliment. “I just summarized the points,” he murmured, voice low and calm.
“No.” Vee shook her head. “You delivered the strongest part of our argument.”
He looked away, a faint, almost unnoticeable shift in his expression. William wasn’t used to praise—especially from someone he barely knew. His fingers tightened slightly around his bag strap.
After a moment, he spoke again. “You argued really well.”
From him, those words felt like a full paragraph.
Vee’s chest warmed. For a brief moment, the hallway seemed to quiet around them—just the two of them standing on the staircase, wrapped in a soft, unexpected stillness.
Neither of them noticed Diana standing at the corner.
She had come looking for William—habit, instinct, routine. She always walked with him after major events, usually teasing him about how he looked like he wanted to vanish.
But she stopped when she saw the two of them.
William, talking.
Vee, smiling.
The atmosphere between them gentle and warm.
Diana felt something unfamiliar twist inside her chest.
Jealousy.
It surprised her.
William was her closest friend.
She was the one who understood his silences, the one he let sit beside him in the library, the one he allowed into his quiet world without pushing her away.
Seeing him open even a small crack for someone else… it stung.
Before they could notice her, Diana stepped back. Quiet. Careful. Ignoring the heaviness in her throat.
She didn’t leave because she had somewhere to go.
She left because, for the first time, she felt like an outsider in William’s world.
END
CHAPTER FIVE
The library was quieter than usual, the kind of quiet that carried weight and meaning. Vee walked through the aisles with her notebook pressed to her chest, still replaying the debate in her mind—William’s voice, calm and steady; his confidence; the sharp intelligence behind every word.
She couldn’t shake it off.
Maybe that was why she found herself drifting toward the academic archive shelf, fingers trailing across old state magazines and competition journals. Maybe she was searching for something she wasn’t ready to name.
Her hand paused on a thick magazine labeled:
“State Scholars • Hall of Fame Issue”
She pulled it out.
Flipped it open.
And the world seemed to tilt.
A full-page spread stared back at her:
“State Exam Champion — Three-Time Winner: William George”
Vee froze.
Her heart thudded painfully against her ribs.
William George…
The name struck her like lightning.
She remembered him. The boy she had lost to in the state exams — by less than two points — the one she had admired silently for years. Her secret admiration. Her quiet wish to meet him.
She didn’t know that her debate partner in front of her — William — was the same person.
All she knew was the name, and the memory of that loss, and the sharp twist in her chest when she saw it printed in black and white.
Her eyes drifted lower on the page.
“Did not compete in Year Four. Year Four Winner: Vee Thompson.”
Vee’s breath caught.
She hadn’t beaten him.
She had only won because he wasn’t there.
All those nights she spent imagining meeting him — wondering what the boy who always won was like, wondering what she would say if they ever stood face-to-face — he had been right in front of her this whole time.
And she didn’t know it.
THE CONFESSION
That evening, the robotics lab smelled of solder and warm metal. Small LED lights blinked on half-assembled circuit boards. In the center of the room, William sat alone, focused on adjusting a wire inside a small robot—its chrome shell reflecting the dim light. His headphones were on, and he didn’t notice Diana entering.
“Will?” she whispered.
He lifted his head slowly, dark eyes calm, his headphones sliding down around his neck. “Diana. Are you okay?”
She bit her lip, fingers twisting around each other. She never fidgeted. Never looked nervous. But today… her confidence was slipping.
“I need to tell you something,” she whispered.
He blinked. “Okay.”
She stepped closer. “I love you.”
The words dropped between them like a stone thrown into still water — quiet, trembling, but powerful.
William froze, eyes widening just slightly. He didn’t speak. Couldn’t speak.
So she tried again, voice breaking.
“I love you, Will. I’ve loved you for… a long time.”
He stared at her — long, unreadable seconds — then slowly reached for a sheet of paper on the desk.
He wrote something down.
Folded it.
Held it out to her.
Two lines.
Small handwriting.
Simple.
“I love you too.
Not good with words.”
Her breath caught.
“Will…” she whispered.
When she looked up, his eyes were soft — softer than she had ever seen them.
He stood slowly, as if unsure, as if moving through unfamiliar territory. His hand hesitated before touching her cheek.
She leaned in.
And William kissed her.
Tender.
Slow.
Uncertain.
His first kiss.
Her first kiss with him.
A kiss that tasted of years of unspoken emotions.
Diana pulled back slightly, cheeks flushed, her heart still racing from the kiss. She had known William’s brilliance, his quiet confidence, and his unwavering presence—but feeling him like this, so close, sharing that first kiss, sent a wave of warmth and disbelief through her. Years of unspoken feelings, of quietly loving him from the sidelines, seemed to rush to the surface all at once.
She laughed softly, a mixture of relief and nervousness, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. “I can’t believe this is really happening,” she murmured.
William tilted his head, his dark eyes calm and focused, a gentle smile tugging at his lips. “Diana,” he said softly, “we’re more than just friends now. This…” He gestured toward the space between them, “this is different. It’s us. Something we’ve both waited for, even if we didn’t realize it.”
Her lips curved into a shy smile, her hands fidgeting slightly. “I… I’ve waited so long for you to say that,” she admitted.
He reached for her hands, holding them carefully. “And I’ve always loved you, Diana. Your energy, your laughter, your friendship… all of it. I just never had the courage to say it until now.”
Diana’s eyes glistened with tears of joy. “I love you too, William,” she whispered, stepping closer, letting her hands rest on his chest.
He held her gently, as if protecting this long-awaited moment. “Then we’ll take it slowly. Together,” he said.
And in that quiet, warm space, Diana felt the weight of years of unspoken feelings lift. The fear, the longing, the hesitations—they all melted away. For the first time, everything felt right, and the world outside the robotics lab didn’t matter.
END
CHAPTER SIX
The morning sunlight streamed through the classroom windows, casting warm golden streaks across the desks. Students were settling into their seats, whispering excitedly about the latest gossip.
And then it happened.
William walked in, his usual quiet presence commanding attention without a single word. But today, something was different. In his hands, carefully held, was a bouquet of fresh flowers—bright, delicate, and unmistakably thoughtful.
A collective gasp ran through the classroom.
“Is… is that for Diana?” someone whispered.
“Wait… William actually did something like that?” another added, eyes wide.
The entire class seemed to freeze, watching in awe as William approached Diana’s desk. He placed the bouquet gently in front of her.
Diana’s mouth fell open, eyes shimmering with surprise and delight. “William…” she breathed.
He offered her a small, calm smile. “I thought you deserved it,” he said simply, his voice quiet but firm.
The class erupted into murmurs, giggles, and whispers. Everyone who knew William—who had always seen him as the quiet genius, the untouchable introvert—couldn’t believe what they were witnessing: gentle affection, expressed without words, but loud enough for everyone to see.
Diana’s cheeks turned a soft pink as she accepted the flowers, holding them close. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
Vee, returning from outside with her books clutched tightly under her arm, froze at the door.
She saw William. She saw Diana. She saw the bouquet.
Her chest tightened. Her stomach lurched.
And in that instant, all the emotions she had been quietly nursing—admiration, curiosity, a faint hope—collapsed into heartache.
Vee couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t look at them. Without thinking, she turned sharply and fled from the classroom, ignoring the curious stares and murmurs from the other students.
She ran to the nearest restroom, slamming the door shut behind her. Leaning against the cold tile, she buried her face in her hands.
The tears came fast. Unrelenting. Hot and bitter.
She had imagined meeting William, connecting with him, maybe even sharing a moment. She hadn’t known he had always belonged—heart and soul—to someone else.
Vee’s sobs echoed softly against the walls, her mind spinning with the sudden reality. The boy she admired, the quiet genius she had dreamed about, the one who had dominated every state exam and academic challenge…
He wasn’t hers.
And in that painful, crushing moment, Vee realized some feelings were meant to be unspoken, some dreams meant to remain just that—dreams.
END
CHAPTER SEVEN
The following days, Vee began to distance herself from William. She no longer lingered near him in class, kept her interactions minimal, and avoided the moments when he might catch her eye.
William noticed her sudden quietness but didn’t understand it. He had always been so focused, so absorbed in his own world, that the subtle changes in Vee’s behavior barely registered. To him, everything seemed normal.
Diana, however, noticed immediately. She had always been perceptive, always a “girl’s girl” who could read between the lines. She knew Vee’s distance wasn’t about rudeness or shyness—it was about heartache.
During lunch, Diana caught Vee in the corner of the courtyard, leaning against the brick wall with her arms crossed.
“Hey,” Diana said gently, plopping down beside her. “Mind if I sit?”
Vee shrugged, barely meeting her eyes. “Sure.”
Diana smiled softly. “You’ve been avoiding him.” She nodded toward the library doors where William had just disappeared. “And not a little. A lot. Like… seriously avoiding him.”
Vee’s shoulders stiffened. “I… I can’t. It’s too much.”
Diana’s expression softened. She leaned closer, keeping her voice low and soothing. “Too much how? Talk to me, girl.”
Vee hesitated, then whispered, “I like him… I’ve liked him for a long time. And now… he’s with you. I can’t… I can’t watch it.” Her voice cracked.
Diana’s eyes softened, filled with understanding. She reached over and gently touched Vee’s arm. “Oh, Vee… I get it. I really do. And you don’t have to feel guilty for it. It’s okay to feel this way. You’re allowed to have feelings, even if they’re complicated.”
Vee blinked, surprised. “You… you’re not mad at me?”
Diana laughed softly. “Mad? Never. I’ve loved him for a long time, yes. But I also know what it’s like to care about someone who cares about someone else. That’s why I’m talking to you like this—I want you to feel heard. Not judged. You need someone to just… listen, right?”
Vee’s voice was barely audible. “I… I’ve admired him ever since I lost to him in the state exams. Three times. I never got the chance to meet him properly… and now it feels like it’s too late.”
Diana wrapped an arm around her shoulder in a comforting hug. “Vee, it’s not too late to feel. And it’s not too late to have hope. You’re smart. Kind. Beautiful. And a boy who will love you in the way you deserve? He’s out there. Trust me, he’s coming.”
Vee let herself relax into the embrace, tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. “I just… I wish things were different.”
Diana squeezed her gently. “I know, love. I really do. But feeling this pain is part of loving and growing. You’re allowed to feel it without letting it consume you. And you’re not alone. I’ve got you, okay? Always.”
Vee sniffled, finally lifting her head. Diana’s eyes were warm, open, and kind. “You’re… really a good friend,” she whispered.
“Always,” Diana said with a playful smile. “And hey, one day a boy will come along who will love you exactly the way you deserve. Someone who sees all of you and still thinks you’re perfect. When that happens, you’ll laugh at how long you waited.”
Vee chuckled softly, a tear still clinging to her cheek. “Thanks… Diana.”
“Anytime,” Diana said, standing and giving her a wink. “Now go. Treat yourself. Get a hot chocolate or something. You’ve earned it.”
Vee watched her walk away, feeling a mixture of gratitude, sadness, and hope. For the first time in days, she allowed herself to breathe—and maybe, just maybe, imagine a future where heartbreak wasn’t the only thing waiting.
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