[Chat between: "SkyHigh_Leo" & "Luna_Dreamer"]

SkyHigh_Leo: Hey.

Luna_Dreamer: Um… hi? Who is this?

SkyHigh_Leo: It’s Leo. From history class. We sit two rows apart.

Luna_Dreamer: Oh. Leo Walker?

SkyHigh_Leo: Yup. That’s me.

Luna_Dreamer: How’d you get my number?

SkyHigh_Leo: Borrowed it from Jake. Hope that’s okay?

Luna_Dreamer: I guess so… What’s up?

SkyHigh_Leo: Nothing much. Just… I saw you reading that poetry book during lunch. Thought it was cool.

Luna_Dreamer: You noticed that?

SkyHigh_Leo: Yeah. You always read alone. I was curious.

Luna_Dreamer: Not a bad thing. I like my books.

SkyHigh_Leo: Never said it was bad. Just thought… maybe you’d like someone to talk to about them?

Luna_Dreamer: Are you trying to be nice, or is this some weird bet?

SkyHigh_Leo: Ouch. No bet. Just trying to be friendly.

Luna_Dreamer: Sorry. Just… not used to random texts.

SkyHigh_Leo: Understandable. So, what was the book?

Luna_Dreamer: Love & Other Distant Things.

SkyHigh_Leo: Sounds deep.

Luna_Dreamer: It is. It’s about love that never reaches. Like stars too far apart.

SkyHigh_Leo: That’s kinda sad.

Luna_Dreamer: Yeah. But sometimes, sadness makes things beautiful.

SkyHigh_Leo: …You talk like a poet.

Luna_Dreamer: Maybe because I love poetry?

SkyHigh_Leo: Figures.

Luna_Dreamer: You don’t?

SkyHigh_Leo: Never really thought about it. But maybe I’d like it if someone explained it to me.

Luna_Dreamer: Maybe.

SkyHigh_Leo: Maybe you could.

Luna_Dreamer: …Maybe.

Leo stared at his screen, waiting for more. But Luna didn’t text back.

He didn’t know why he texted her in the first place. He wasn’t the type to randomly message people, especially quiet ones like Luna Carter. She was always in her own world—soft-spoken, mysterious, and distant.

Yet, something about her made him want to reach out. Maybe it was the way she read, completely lost in another universe. Or maybe it was the way she looked at the world, as if she knew something no one else did.

Whatever it was, he didn’t want this to be their last conversation.

Leo took a deep breath and typed again.

SkyHigh_Leo: So… can I sit with you at lunch tomorrow?

The dots appeared. Then stopped. Then appeared again.

He held his breath.

Then finally—

Luna_Dreamer: Maybe.

Leo grinned.

Maybe was better than no.

---

Later That Night

Leo lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. His phone was still in his hand, but no new messages had come. He wondered if Luna regretted replying at all.

"Dude, who are you waiting for?" Jake’s voice broke through his thoughts.

Leo turned his head. His best friend was sitting on the gaming chair in his room, controller in hand, completely focused on the basketball game playing on his screen.

"No one," Leo muttered, tossing his phone onto the nightstand.

Jake snorted. "Right. That’s why you keep checking your phone every ten seconds. Spill."

Leo debated for a moment before sighing. "Luna Carter."

Jake paused the game and turned to him. "Luna? As in, quiet girl Luna? Reads-books-like-it’s-her-job Luna?"

"Yeah."

Jake looked at him like he’d just announced he was moving to another planet. "Dude. Why?"

Leo shrugged. "I dunno. She seemed… interesting."

Jake shook his head in disbelief. "You? Finding a girl ‘interesting’? That’s new."

Leo rolled his eyes. "It’s not like that. I just texted her. That’s all."

Jake smirked. "Sure. Just texted her. Next thing you know, you’re writing poetry in your notes app."

Leo grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. "Shut up."

Jake laughed, dodging it easily. "Hey, man. Do what you want. But Luna Carter? She’s not like the girls you usually talk to. Just saying."

Leo knew that. That’s what made her interesting.

---

End of Chapter 1.

[Chat between: "SkyHigh_Leo" & "Luna_Dreamer"]

SkyHigh_Leo: So… does “maybe” mean yes?

Luna_Dreamer: You’ll find out at lunch.

SkyHigh_Leo: That’s a dangerous game, Carter.

Luna_Dreamer: Life’s full of risks, Walker.

Leo smirked at her message, tapping his fingers on his desk as the morning classes dragged on. He had no idea why he was so curious about Luna Carter. Maybe it was the way she spoke in half-answers. Maybe it was because she always seemed like she was in another world, one he didn’t quite understand.

Whatever it was, he found himself looking forward to lunch more than usual.

---

Lunchtime

Leo grabbed his tray and scanned the cafeteria. His usual spot was at the loudest table, surrounded by his basketball teammates, where food fights and ridiculous dares were a daily event.

Luna sat near the window, alone, as always. A book was open in front of her, and she was absentmindedly picking at her food, lost in whatever world she was reading.

For a second, he hesitated. He had a feeling she wasn’t the type who enjoyed sudden interruptions.

But then again, she hadn’t said no.

Taking a breath, he walked over.

"Hey."

Luna looked up, her eyes meeting his. They were a shade of deep brown, but in the sunlight, they had hints of gold.

"You actually came," she said, tilting her head slightly.

Leo set his tray down. "Wasn’t gonna back out of the risk."

Luna sighed, closing her book. "Guess I did say maybe."

He took that as an invitation and sat across from her. The table was quiet—no yelling, no flying food, no Jake loudly complaining about how unfair the math test was. Just the sound of the cafeteria in the background and the faint flipping of pages as Luna traced the edges of her book with her fingers.

"So," Leo said, breaking the silence. "What tragic poetry are you reading today?"

Luna smirked slightly. "Tragic? You assume all poetry is sad?"

"From what I’ve seen you read? Yeah."

She let out a soft chuckle, tapping her book. "This one’s different. It’s about first loves."

Leo raised an eyebrow. "First loves?"

Luna nodded. "The kind that change you. The ones that are fleeting but stay with you forever."

Leo leaned forward slightly. "You ever had one?"

Luna’s expression flickered for a second, something unreadable passing through her eyes. Then, she smirked. "You asking for an autobiography, Walker?"

Leo grinned. "Hey, just curious."

She shrugged. "Maybe I have. Maybe I haven’t."

Leo smirked. "You’re full of ‘maybes,’ huh?"

Luna tapped her book. "Keeps life interesting."

He watched her carefully. There was something about the way she spoke—like she had a thousand things she wanted to say but never did.

"Alright," he said, leaning back in his chair. "Tell me this—what’s the best poem you’ve ever read?"

Luna thought for a moment before flipping through her book. She stopped at a page and turned it toward him.

"Read this one."

Leo glanced down. It was short but powerful.

"Some loves are like the moon—"

"Close enough to light up the night,"

"Yet forever too far to hold."

Leo exhaled. "Wow. That’s… kinda deep."

Luna watched him carefully. "You think so?"

"Yeah. It’s like… you can love something, but it’s not always meant to be yours."

For a second, Luna looked almost sad.

Then, she quickly masked it with a small smile. "Exactly."

Leo didn’t know why, but something about the way she said it made his chest feel… weird.

Like maybe there was something she wasn’t saying.

Like maybe there was more to Luna Carter than just a girl who liked poetry.

And for some reason, he wanted to figure her out.

---

Later That Night

Leo stared at his phone, fingers hovering over the keyboard. Should he text her again? Would that seem weird?

Before he could overthink it, his phone vibrated.

[New Message from: Luna_Dreamer]

Luna_Dreamer: Hey.

Leo blinked. She texted him first?

SkyHigh_Leo: Well, that’s unexpected.

Luna_Dreamer: What is?

SkyHigh_Leo: You texting me first.

Luna_Dreamer: Maybe I was curious.

SkyHigh_Leo: About?

Luna_Dreamer: You.

Leo felt his heartbeat pick up slightly.

SkyHigh_Leo: Guess that makes two of us, then.

A pause. Then—

Luna_Dreamer: Goodnight, Walker.

Leo smiled.

SkyHigh_Leo: Goodnight, Carter.

He didn’t know what this was yet.

But he knew one thing.

It was just the beginning.

---

End of Chapter 2!

[Chat between: "SkyHigh_Leo" & "Luna_Dreamer"]

SkyHigh_Leo: Still awake?

Luna_Dreamer: Clearly, since I’m replying.

SkyHigh_Leo: Wow. Sarcasm at midnight. Impressive.

Luna_Dreamer: It’s a skill.

SkyHigh_Leo: Why are you up?

Luna_Dreamer: Why are you up?

SkyHigh_Leo: I asked first.

Luna_Dreamer: …Couldn’t sleep.

SkyHigh_Leo: Same.

Leo lay on his bed, staring at the dim glow of his phone screen. He wasn’t sure what made him text her. Maybe it was the fact that their last conversation had left him wanting more.

Or maybe it was just that Luna Carter intrigued him in a way no one else did.

SkyHigh_Leo: Thinking about something?

Luna_Dreamer: Always.

SkyHigh_Leo: Deep thoughts?

Luna_Dreamer: You could say that.

SkyHigh_Leo: Wanna share?

There was a long pause. Leo watched the screen, waiting for the typing bubbles to appear. When they finally did, they disappeared just as fast.

Then—

Luna_Dreamer: You ever feel like you don’t quite fit anywhere? Like, even when you’re surrounded by people, you’re still… somewhere else?

Leo blinked.

Of all the things he expected her to say, that wasn’t one of them.

SkyHigh_Leo: …Yeah. Sometimes.

Luna_Dreamer: Oh? The great Leo Walker, basketball star, life-of-the-party kind of guy… feels out of place?

SkyHigh_Leo: Ouch. Stereotypes much?

Luna_Dreamer: Am I wrong?

Leo smirked at his screen.

SkyHigh_Leo: A little. Just ‘cause I talk to a lot of people doesn’t mean I actually connect with them.

Luna_Dreamer: Huh. Didn’t expect you to say that.

SkyHigh_Leo: What did you expect?

Luna_Dreamer: A joke. Something cocky.

SkyHigh_Leo: Guess I’m unpredictable.

Luna_Dreamer: Maybe.

Leo exhaled, staring at her last message. The way she always answered with maybe was frustrating. And yet, it made him want to keep the conversation going.

SkyHigh_Leo: So… where do you feel like you belong?

Another long pause. Then—

Luna_Dreamer: In books. In words. In quiet places where I don’t have to explain myself.

Leo read her message twice.

He didn’t know what to say to that.

Because deep down, he understood it more than he wanted to admit.

---

The Next Day – In History Class

Leo sat two rows behind Luna, watching as she doodled in the margins of her notebook.

Mr. Reynolds was going on about some war that happened hundreds of years ago, but Leo wasn’t paying attention.

Instead, his eyes kept drifting to the back of Luna’s head, the way a strand of hair slipped over her shoulder as she scribbled tiny stars around the corners of her notes.

He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Bored?"

Luna tensed slightly before turning her head just enough to glance at him. "Aren’t you?"

"Always."

Luna smirked before returning to her notebook.

Leo stared at the clock. Five more minutes until class ended.

And suddenly, an idea formed in his head.

He ripped a small piece of paper from his notebook and scribbled a quick message.

If you could go anywhere right now, where would it be?

He folded the paper and flicked it toward her desk. It landed just beside her arm.

Luna blinked at it, then slowly picked it up.

For a second, she didn’t react. Then, she took her pen and wrote something back.

When the paper landed on his desk, Leo unfolded it.

Somewhere no one can find me.

Leo stared at the words, his fingers gripping the note tighter.

Before he could write back, the bell rang.

Luna stood, gathering her things. She didn’t look at him as she walked out of the room, disappearing into the crowd.

Leo exhaled.

She was hiding something.

And for some reason, he wanted to know what.

---

Later That Evening – New Message

[Chat between: "SkyHigh_Leo" & "Luna_Dreamer"]

SkyHigh_Leo: So… did you disappear to that “somewhere” yet?

Luna_Dreamer: If I did, would I be replying?

SkyHigh_Leo: Good point.

Luna_Dreamer: Why’d you pass me that note?

SkyHigh_Leo: I dunno. Just wanted to see your answer.

Luna_Dreamer: …And what did you think?

Leo hesitated.

SkyHigh_Leo: I think you’re running from something.

The typing bubbles appeared. Then stopped.

Then—

Luna_Dreamer: Maybe.

Leo sighed. Of course, she’d say that.

SkyHigh_Leo: Can’t you ever just say yes or no?

Luna_Dreamer: Where’s the fun in that?

Leo shook his head, smiling slightly.

SkyHigh_Leo: You’re impossible, Carter.

Luna_Dreamer: And yet, you keep texting me.

Leo stared at the screen, his smirk fading slightly.

She wasn’t wrong.

And that was what scared him the most.

---

End of Chapter 3.