Tamara took a deep breath and held the paper in her hands. The lyrics were beautiful and honest. As she stood in front of the club, her heart started to beat fast. Her eyes quickly scanned the faces in the room, but all she could really see was Tommy.
He was sitting on his stool, his guitar across his lap, watching her with curiosity. For a moment, it was just the two of them in the room.
Then, softly, she began to sing.
Her voice came out smoothly; it wasn't what everyone was expecting. Some students stopped whispering, and some leaned forward a little, even Zayne's mouth fell open in surprise.
Tommy blinked and tilted his head slightly, as if he wasn't sure what he was hearing. His fingers paused on the guitar strings.
Tamara kept going, and she sang like the words were coming from deep inside her. But just as she reached the sixth line, someone in the back coughed; it was loud and sudden.
It broke her focus.
Tamara held her breath; her eyes darted across the room. She lost the note, and when she tried to keep going, her voice cracked.
A few students looked at each other. One or two giggled quietly again.
Tamara froze, she gripped the paper tightly and stared at the floor; she felt the heat rushing to her cheeks.
Alex stepped forward quickly, clapping his hands twice. "Alright," he said. "That was beautiful, Tamara. Really, really good effort."
Tamara looked up, surprised.
"You've got a soft tone," Alex continued. "You just need to breathe and stay focused. But hey…that was brave. You owned it."
Tamara nodded slowly, still holding the paper close.
Then she heard a voice she hadn't expected.
"That was… good."
She turned.
It was Tommy.
He looked at her; the kind of look she had been expecting for years.
"You just need to focus more next time," he added. "But yeah… that was really something."
Tamara's eyes widened slightly. For a second, she couldn't speak. Her lips parted, but no words came out. It was like someone had poured sunlight into her chest.
Zayne rushed up to the stage and wrapped her arms around her.
"Oh my gosh, Tam! I didn't know you could sing like that!" Zayne squealed. "That was everything! You were amazing!"
Tamara smiled and hugged her back tightly. "Thanks," she whispered. "I just… tried."
"You didn't try…you did," Zayne said, pulling away and holding Tamara's shoulders. "And Tommy stared at you like you're the only girl in the world. I saw his face."
Tamara bit her lip to keep from smiling too hard.
They stepped down from the front of the room and moved to the side as Alex turned to Tommy.
"Your turn," Alex said, handing him the lyrics. "Let's hear what you can do with it."
Tommy stood slowly, guitar still in hand. He walked up to the front, and before he even opened his mouth, students were already clapping softly.
He gave a shy little nod, brushing his fingers across the strings.
Then there was silence before he started.
His voice was soft, and it fit the lyrics perfectly. His guitar added magic to the words. No one spoke, and no one moved. They just listened.
It was like the room was floating.
Even Tamara forgot to breathe for a moment. She just stared at him, completely still.
When he finished the last line, there was silence…and then the room exploded in applause.
Hands clapped from everywhere, and cheers rose from the students.
Tamara clapped too…harder than anyone. Her palms stung from it. She smiled so wide up to the point that her cheeks started to hurt.
She wanted to shout something, something silly like "I love you, Tommy!"
But she bit her tongue and just kept clapping.
Tommy stepped down, giving a small smile and a thankful nod.
Alex gave him a pat on the back. "That's how it's done," he said. "Man, you always deliver."
Tommy returned to his seat, and the club activities moved on. Some students took turns trying the piano, others joined small songwriting groups. A few gathered around the drum set, testing beats.
But Tamara didn't hear any of it.
She sat beside Zayne, her hands still resting on her lap, her chest rising and falling gently.
She got what she wanted, and she felt like someone had poured cool water into her dry throat.
Tommy's words repeated over and over in her mind:
"That was… good. You just need to focus more."
A small smile touched her lips. She didn't care what anyone else had thought.
He saw her, and that was enough.
The science club meeting was just ending.
Students were clearing their desks, putting away beakers, gloves, and worksheets. The room still smelled like vinegar and something burnt. On the whiteboard were chemical equations and a diagram of a small rocket engine that some students had tried building for fun.
Today's activity had been about chemical reactions and how heat affects different compounds. Some of the students had managed to get small flames, while others made too much smoke and had to open windows.
Sasha had been part of the group testing reaction speed with baking soda and vinegar. She had enjoyed the experiment, but now her hands were still slightly wet, and her mind wasn't even in the room.
The club president, Elias Bornwell, stood at the front.
"Alright, everyone," he said. "Let's clean up and pick up next week. We'll continue testing and maybe look into simple engines next time."
The students clapped briefly, and then the final bell rang; it was the break time.
The sound of chairs scraping on the floor was heard as students began packing their bags and talking louder.
Sasha slowly folded her worksheet and placed it in her file, and she paused for a moment.
She was thinking about something else. Something she didn't want to admit.
Was it really a good idea to agree to Tamara's suggestion about meeting Mr. Davis?
Her stomach didn't feel right. She was good, she understood poetry better, and she didn't need any help.
She was still standing by the desk when she heard footsteps approaching her.
"Sasha!" someone called cheerfully.
It was Ayanna Collins, her best friend.
Ayanna walked quickly toward her with her bag hanging off one shoulder.
"What did you think about that crazy smell from Group Three?" Ayanna laughed. "I thought we were going to faint!"
Sasha smiled a little. "It was strong. I think someone messed up the amounts."
Ayanna chuckled and bumped her shoulder lightly. "Come on. Let's go chill in the library."
Sasha nodded, and they walked out together, passing students who were heading outside to grab snacks or chat in the gardens.
But as they walked, Ayanna slowed down and turned her head to look at Sasha.
"You okay?" she asked, frowning. "You look like you're not really here."
Sasha pressed her lips together for a second, then sighed. "It's just Tamara."
Ayanna rolled her eyes instantly. "Ugh, that girl is always extra. Always in someone's space."
Sasha didn't answer, so Ayanna kept going.
"She's all over Tommy these days. I mean, have you seen the way she follows him around?"
Sasha gave a quiet smile but didn't say anything.
Ayanna looked straight ahead, then glanced sideways at Sasha again. "You know what I think?"
"What?" Sasha asked, pretending not to care.
"I think Tommy likes you."
Sasha's eyebrows rose a little. "What?"
"I've seen it," Ayanna said, nodding seriously. "The way he stares at you in class. When you speak, he listens like you're some magic goddess or something. And girl, when you answer questions? He forgets where he is."
Sasha let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "That's not my business."
"Oh, come on. It's so obvious. I bet even Mr. Davis sees it."
Sasha looked away, and she lowered her voice when speaking. "I'm not interested in any of that. We have exams coming. Then we graduate."
Ayanna nodded slowly. "I get it. Focus first."
"I just want good grades," Sasha said without blinking. "I just don't want any distractions."
Ayanna didn't push. "Fair enough. You've always been the smart one."
They reached the library doors and walked inside. It was quiet, with only the soft sound of pages turning and the light tap of fingers on laptop keys.
A librarian gave them a small nod from behind the counter.
Sasha and Ayanna looked around. Most tables were half full. Sasha walked to a corner seat near the window and Ayanna picked a table closer to the center.
As Sasha took out her books, her mind went back to what Ayanna had said.
The way Tommy stares at you… Tommy listens… I think he's in love with you.
She bit her lip, and she had seen it too.
The way his eyes always found her in class. The way he had looked at her earlier that day.
But she wasn't interested even though her heart beat a little faster than normal whenever their eyes met; love was not in her plans.
She had things to chase; scholarships, university, and a future, she believed love could wait. She opened her Chemistry book and started reading.
Across the room, Ayanna had already started highlighting notes in her notebook.
Meanwhile, Tommy had just stepped out of the music club with Kelly. They walked slowly through the hallway, still humming the song Tommy had sung a few minutes ago.
"That guitar man," Kelly said, swinging his bag over his shoulder. "It's like… magic."
Tommy smiled. "Yeah. Guitars are more special than any other instrument. Especially when you bond with it."
Kelly nodded. "Like it understands you better than people do."
Tommy glanced ahead, and his voice was soft now. "It's the only thing that listens when I can't talk."
They both chuckled, walking past a few students chatting in groups.
After a moment, Tommy's eyes drifted toward the library building ahead.
He suddenly said, "Hey, I'm heading to the library. There's this book I want to check out."
Kelly raised an eyebrow. "A book? Since when do you…?"
But he stopped himself. He had no idea what Tommy was really thinking.
"Alright," Kelly said, shrugging. "I'm going back to the dorms. I need to lie down for a bit."
Tommy took off his bag and handed it to Kelly.
"Here," he said. "Just drop it on my bed."
Kelly took the bag. "You sure you're not up to something?"
Tommy grinned. "Nope."
Kelly smirked. "Right, see you later, lover boy."
Tommy laughed and shook his head.
They parted ways, and Tommy walked toward the library with only his songbook and a pen in hand.
He pushed open the glass door gently and stepped inside.
The library was quiet and peaceful. The only sound was coming from the fan in the ceiling. Bookshelves stood like tall guardians all around.
Then Tommy saw Sasha after he scanned the room thoroughly.
She was sitting near the window, her head bent over her Chemistry book.
Tommy's feet moved before he even decided. He walked closer with his heart pounding.
When he reached her table, he stood still for a second, then he leaned forward slightly.
"Hey…" he said softly. "Can I sit here?"
Sasha looked up, and she was startled.
Her eyes widened when she saw Tommy. "Oh. Hi… of course you can have a sit."
She said with a calm voice, but inside, her heart skipped a beat.
Tommy sat slowly next to her, his hands holding his songbook.
He looked at her for a moment, then looked down quickly.
She tried to go back to her reading, but she could feel his eyes. It made her hands tremble and her heart raced a bit.
Tommy opened his songbook, tore out a clean page, and wrote something.
When he was done, he folded the paper and gently slid it toward her.
Sasha looked at him, then unfolded it quietly under the table.
The note read:
"I adore the way you walk, and the way you shine among the rest.
Every time I hear your voice, my world is filled with butterflies.
I don't know what this is…
But I think you've written your name on my heart."
Sasha stared at the words and she felt like she had stopped breathing.
She bit her lip, and she folded the paper again.
This can't happen. Not now. She thought.
She reached for her notebook, tore a page, and wrote a reply in her beautiful handwriting:
"Tommy… you're kind. And your words are beautiful.
But I can't give you what you want.
Not now. Maybe not ever."
She folded it carefully and handed it to him without a word.
Tommy took it, opened it, and read silently.
His eyes narrowed a little, and he nodded with a smile.
He tore another paper, scribbled something again.
"I am not forcing you. I just had to say it.
Even if you don't feel the same…
Just know I see you.
And maybe one day… you'll see me too."
He passed it gently.
Sasha read it, slowly this time, and her eyes softened.
Her fingers touched the edge of the paper longer than they needed to.
She didn't write back this time, instead, she looked up at him, and their eyes met.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke, and it felt like there were only two of them in the room, and there was no one else around.
Sasha finally turned away, and she quietly opened her Chemistry book again.
Outside the school library, under the big apple tree near the fountain, Tamara was sitting with her group of friends.
They were laughing, chatting, and talking loudly about graduation, which was only a few weeks away.
"I'm getting my hair dyed red right after we graduate!" said Shanice, flipping her braids.
"Girl, I'm going to the lake house with my boyfriend!" Misha grinned. "We're going to be swimming and dancing all weekend!"
"Please! I'm moving in with mine!" another girl added. "He's already picking out furniture for our apartment."
Tamara chuckled and leaned forward, flipping her hair around.
"Well," she said, pretending to sound real, "Me and Tommy already made a list."
Zayne's eyes lit up. "You and Tommy?"
Tamara nodded with a little fake smile. "Yeah. We're going to take a trip to the coast, just the two of us. Then maybe college together... who knows."
Everyone gasped and giggled.
Zayne clapped her hands. "Aww, Tamara! I'm so proud of you! You and Tommy are, like… perfect. Honestly!"
Tamara smiled, but inside something opposed her, as none of it was true; there was no trip, and no plans with Tommy.
But she couldn't let them know that.
Especially not Zayne, who looked at her like she was winning.
First, Tamara thought, I have to deal with Sasha. Before anyone notices that Tommy isn't even looking my way anymore.
She stared off toward the library.
If Sasha's expelled before graduation… Tommy will be mine again. Just like before.
She stood up, pretending to brush dust from her skirt.
"I'll be right back," Tamara said sweetly.
"Where are you going?" Zayne asked.
"Just something I need to handle."
Zayne nodded, still smiling. "Okay, don't take long."
Tamara turned and walked away with quick steps. She headed straight to Mr. Davis's office, and when she reached the door, she saw that it was slightly open.
Inside, Mr. Davis was sitting behind his desk with his glasses on, flipping through a thick poetry book. The room smelled of old paper and coffee.
Tamara knocked gently.
"Come in," Mr. Davis said without looking up.
Tamara pushed the door open and stepped inside.
"Good afternoon, sir," she said politely, and her voice was soft and sweet.
Mr. Davis looked up. "Tamara. What can I do for you?"
She stepped closer and clasped her hands in front of her like a nervous student.
"I… I was hoping you could help me with some poetry lessons," she said. "The sonnets… they're a little hard to get. I don't want to mess up the assignment."
Mr. Davis nodded slowly. "Alright. That's a good decision."
Tamara smiled again. "And Sasha will be joining me too. She's helping me with some parts, and I thought we could both benefit."
Mr. Davis looked thoughtful for a moment.
"That's even better. Sasha is brilliant. Actually…" He leaned back in his chair. "I've been meaning to speak to her. There's something I wanted her to prepare…maybe present a short piece on poetic form for the class. I think she'd be perfect."
Tamara's eyes widened, though she kept her face calm.
He was playing right into her hands.
"Could you call her for me?" Mr. Davis added. "Tell her to come by now if she's free."
Tamara nodded quickly. "Of course, sir. I'll get her right away."
As she stepped out of the office, her lips curled into a small smile.
Perfect, she thought. This is working just like I planned.
She walked quickly through the hallway, passing chatting students and giggling girls.
All I have to do now… is bring her here. One step closer to exposing her.
Tamara already knew where Sasha would be.
She's always in the library this time of day.
She reached the library doors, pushed them open slowly, and stepped inside.
The room was quiet as always, with books lining every wall, and a few students were sitting at tables with their heads bent.
She looked around…and then she saw what she wasn't expecting; Sasha and Tommy, sitting side by side near the window.
Tommy was holding his pen, pointing at something in his book. Sasha was smiling, and then she laughed softly, like wind passing through leaves.
Tamara froze, and she felt blood rushing through her veins.