Chapter 9
I walked home with a smile so wide it could’ve been in a toothpaste commercial.
The wind felt softer, the sky looked prettier — even the potholes on the road looked poetic.
But my little love-drunk bubble popped the moment I opened my bedroom door.
Disaster.
I forgot I left my room looking like a laundry apocalypse.
Clothes everywhere. Hair clips on the bed. Snacks on the desk. Wrappers judging me silently.
> “Why do I do this to myself…” I muttered dramatically.
My friends had already left — of course they had. It was late.
So I had to clean everything up solo, dragging my body around like a ghost with a mop.
By the time I finished, I was ready to fall flat on the floor and sleep like a fainted goat.
And sleep?
Well, let’s just say I closed my eyes at 3 a.m. and opened them five minutes later at 7 a.m.
At least, that’s what it felt like.
The next morning, I dragged myself to school. Barely alive, barely conscious.
Shine saw me and immediately pounced.
> “SPILL. EVERYTHING.”
Already a little zombified from barely sleeping. My arms were jelly, my brain still in picnic mode, and I was so not ready for socializing.
That’s when Shine saw me.
And oh no.
That grin. That suspicious sparkle in her eyes. I knew I was doomed.
“So…” she slid over like a gossip queen ready for a scoop, “how was your walk yesterday?”
I tried to act cool. “Just a walk.”
Shine raised her eyebrows. “Oh? Just a walk? With someone who buys matching keychains?”
She leaned in. “Did y’all share snacks? Feed each other under the tree like squirrels in love?”
I choked on air. “Shine!! We just ate like normal people!”
She gasped dramatically. “Normal people don’t come back smiling like they won a boyfriend lottery!”
I turned red. “I was just happy the chips were still crunchy.”
She wasn’t buying it. “Mhm. Sure. Let’s ask Leo then—oh wait—he’s shy and mysterious, right? Must be romantic tension.”
I gave her my best death glare. She patted my head like a smug puppy owner.
“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me,” she whispered with a wink. “Mostly.”
I told her the whole story — the picnic, the milk and strawberry keychains, the shy smiles — all of it.
She squealed like someone just proposed to her.
> “Oh my gosh, I’m so happy for you! You two are seriously the cutest.”
Leo came to class too, but we didn’t talk.
It was kind of our unspoken thing — keeping it lowkey. Private. Special.
The day went by like nothing had happened.
But when the bell rang and everyone started leaving, I paused at the classroom door.
Just once, I turned around and gave Leo a little wave.
He looked up from his desk, surprised.
And then… he nodded.
Shyly.
Softly.
My heart did ten backflips.
I walked home with the girls, giggling, reliving everything in my head.
Of course, I told my other friend about the date too — no way was I forgetting her in the storytime chaos.
> “And you guys are the real MVPs,” I said, handing them back their borrowed clothes — washed, folded, and sealed with appreciation.
People like them are rare.
Golden.
Like literal sparkly soulmates in human form.
And Leo?
Well… we’ll see.
But this strawberry’s feeling pretty lucky.
