✍️ Author's Note
Sometimes, the smallest crushes are the sweetest—quiet, unspoken, and filled with innocent wonder. In this story, I wanted to capture Maya's shy fascination with Kabir, the way small moments and subtle glances create a world of their own. Between playful teasing, awkward confessions, and gentle smiles, a simple crush begins to bloom, tucked away beneath the noise of school life. It's a story about discovering feelings, finding courage, and realizing that sometimes, the people we admire are closer than we think.
📖 Blurb
New school, new faces, and a crush hiding in plain sight. Maya never expected to be drawn to Kabir — quiet, smart, and unknowingly charming. As she navigates awkward conversations, playful teasing, and heart-fluttering moments, Maya learns that a crush isn't just about longing… it's about small steps, shy smiles, and the gentle courage to believe that maybe, just maybe, he feels the same way.
Today felt… different.
I stood by the school gate, clutching my books like a lifeline, butterfly clips in my hair bright as ever. My heart raced with a mix of nervousness and excitement. Everything was new — the school, the people, the strange energy of a place I was still trying to belong to.
Then I saw her. Ryu. The girl from Section C — quiet, mysterious, somehow untouchable. As she passed by, I couldn't help but rush forward. "Hi! Wait — are you from Section C?" I blurted.
She blinked slowly. "Yes."
Her voice was soft, a little detached, but there was something about her that made me feel… welcomed.
"Whoa. Brave of you," I giggled. "I'm Maya. Just transferred — they threw me into Section B, thankfully."
She raised an eyebrow. "Why thankfully?"
"Oh, I've heard stories," I grinned. "The boys? Wild. The President? Terrifying."
Her silence and that faint smile told me I hit a nerve. Maybe… I wasn't wrong.
Later, as we walked up the main staircase together, I felt the odd ease of talking to her. I don't usually open up so quickly, but Ryu… she made it feel normal.
"I had a crush on Kabir once," I said, almost without thinking.
"What?" she asked, eyes narrowing slightly, curious.
"Kabir," I repeated, like his name carried some magic. "He's so quiet… so smart… his voice… ugh, it makes me melt."
Ryu actually smiled — a rare thing from her. It was small, but genuine.
"You should tell him," she said simply.
"NO!" I hissed, laughing nervously. "He doesn't know."
Then, of course, the universe had to throw me into pure drama. Ryu missed a step, and suddenly Reyan was there — his arm steady around her back, his hand gripping her wrist.
Close. Too close.
"You again," he muttered, eyes half-lidded like I was invisible.
"I—I wasn't looking," Ryu stammered, clearly flustered.
Reyan just smirked and walked off.
Meanwhile, I stood frozen, thinking, Oh my god, this is literally a drama scene.
At lunch, I couldn't help myself — I mouthed excitedly from across the ground: "HE SAVED YOUUU!"
Ryu shot me a narrowed eye, playful but guarded.
Later, beneath the neem tree, I poured my heart out.
"So," Ryu said, sipping her juice casually, "Kabir, huh?"
I groaned. "Don't remind me."
"You literally melted when I said his name."
"I did not," I blushed hard, "Okay, I did. But… he's so calm. So composed. I like that."
Ryu smirked. "Want me to pass him a note like we're in second grade?"
I threw a leaf at her. "Stop being evil!"
"I'm not," she said with a grin. "I'm just returning the favor."
"What favor?"
"You teased me about Reyan. So now it's your turn."
I laughed, feeling lighter than I had all day.
"It's different," I whispered, almost to myself.
We sat in silence for a while, the noisy school around us fading into something softer, gentler. Between two girls from two different sections, something peaceful had started to grow.
As I went back to class, I caught a glimpse of Kabir in the distance — not Reyan this time, but Kabir.
He stood there, just watching, quiet and distant as always.
Maybe… just maybe… he knew.
Maybe one day I'd tell him.
But not today.