LOGINAimeeAimee watched with star-filled eyes at the festive decorations in front of her. She had thought that only students would attend the fiesta, she never knew it was open to outsiders as well, and so, everywhere was crowded and children's laughter surrounded her.Their classroom had put up a stall to sell pizza slices and hotdogs. The idea had been rejected earlier, but when a better one wasn't gotten, they decided to go with it. And right now, staring at the different varieties of fast food that different stalls were selling, Aimee knew that she would be eating so much that she would be too full to walk.But even though she wanted to dive into eating already, she knew it would be complete if she could share it with one particular person, and so she set out to find him.They ended up not winning the reward money, but they still won the Best Dressed Class award. Mr. Lance had whined yesterday, sulking that they couldn't go for the group dinner, and they had had fun laughing and teasi
JaydenJayden put on the sack for the race. He had removed his costume, as had the other runners, so that they could run properly.He glanced at the spot where their classmates had gathered to cheer. He could see her, and right at that moment, he remembered her win for the 100-meter race. And just like she had said, she had won the relay race. As the last person handed the baton, she finished the lap long before the other runners even got close to the finish line.Jayden’s grip tightened on the sack. He had never cared what became of the race before. Sometimes, he would even lie about being sick just so he wouldn’t participate and could spend the day holed up somewhere. But here he was, not just participating, but entertaining the idea of winning.It felt strange to him. He couldn’t believe he actually thought that.But right before getting ready for the event, Aimee had said, “Do your best.”There was no pressure in the words, but he actually wanted to give her his best. And most imp
AimeeEverywhere was bustling. Students were dressed in funny costumes, and there was noise everywhere, but it didn’t feel offensive. In fact, it felt welcomed.Aimee glanced around the cheering students, searching for a particular face, but he wasn’t in the crowd.She had heard Jayden had signed up for the relay race and the sack race. Since they were in the same class and he would be competing against boys from other classes, they would be running at different times. She appreciated that—it meant she would still get to watch him compete.But somehow, it didn’t feel as happy knowing he wouldn’t be there to watch her too.“On your marks,” the teacher called through the megaphone.Aimee knelt on one knee, preparing herself for the start. It was the Class Three race. After spending the entire day watching the junior classes' compete, it was finally their turn, and Aimee felt energized.She never used to enjoy sports day in her former school, mostly because too much was expected from her
JaydenJayden had wanted to leave before Aimee found out. He had seen her enjoying herself, and he didn’t want to ruin the fun for her. Not when he was torn inside about how to behave around her, what to say to her, and how to thank her for paying for that field trip.And most importantly, he didn’t want to be in a car with her. He didn’t want to be in an enclosed space alone with her. Even if someone else would be there, even if Aimee might not let him do anything, even though he knew he wouldn’t be doing anything with her, he just didn’t want to feel her presence any closer than he already did. He didn’t want her scent clinging to him while also having to sit beside her.He wanted to leave first and then prepare himself for when she would show up at the pastry shop, for when he would spend his evening looking after her in case she fell asleep on her table again.However, he didn’t expect her to run after him.He didn’t expect her to say what she said.He didn’t expect to see the hur
AimeeAimee had been happy seeing Jayden talk and work with their classmates. She had been happy seeing him relate with them, even though he never laughed at the jokes, even though he never smiled at the teasing, but he had been present. He wasn’t standing aside and staring at the wall or out the window, and he hadn’t ignored them when they approached him.She didn’t know why she had felt happy making someone popular when she herself didn’t want to be, but she had been, and it was because it was Jayden. She found herself wishing that it would continue like that, that he wouldn’t go back to ignoring everyone on Monday and being on his own again.However, what she loved the most of all was feeling his gaze on her. She would always feel him staring at her, and whenever she looked his way, he would hold her gaze for only a nanosecond before looking away, and so she had started glancing his way with a smile whenever she felt his gaze. It made her heart tingle in ways she couldn’t explain,
JaydenJayden stared at the house in front of him. He didn’t need to check the group chat for directions to find his way there; after all, Jacob’s father owned the biggest car wash in town, so everybody knew where he lived.He hated having to be here instead of being at work. He had a lot of bills to pay soon, and not to forget the class contribution for the costumes. And most importantly, he had to make payment before Aimee saw the need to pay for him again.He sighed, wondering why he was like that. He still couldn’t muster up the courage to swallow the news that Aimee had paid for his field trip, nor could he bring himself to thank her, even though he knew he should.Throughout yesterday after school, while they worked on their props, Aimee had tried to involve him with everyone and everything that was going on. Even though he felt like she didn’t have to go that far—after all, he purposely stayed away from their classmates—he didn’t feel the need to push her away or turn her down.
JaydenThe sound of the bell was always louder than it needed to be.Not in volume.In timing.It marked the end of something that never really felt like it had started properly.Jayden closed his notebook slowly, not beca
Aimee“It’s nice to have you join us. Don’t worry, you’ll fit right in immediately,” Mr. Lance said as they left the principal’s office.Aimee offered a small smile, her head slightly lowered as she tucked a few strand
JaydenThe morning always felt shorter than it should.Not because time moved differently, but because there were moments in it that didn’t feel like they belonged to the same day.Jayden noticed that more on days he
AimeeThe school was quieter in the morning.Not the kind of quiet that felt empty, but the kind that hadn’t decided what it was yet. Like the building was still half asleep, waiting for voices to give it shape.Aimee stepped through the entrance slowly, her shoes making a soft sound against the po







