My name is Tessa Monroe, though everyone calls me Tess—my mom, my dad, and even my friends. I grew up in Swellview with my family, living a fairly simple life.
For most of my childhood, I was the quiet, introverted type. I didn't have many friends until I met my two best ones: Charlotte and Avery. Charlotte came into my life when I was twelve, in my first year of junior high, after transferring to my school. Avery joined us a little later, during my first year of junior high. From the start, and well...we clicked instantly. The three of us became inseparable, sharing everything—from silly inside jokes to deep secrets.
You know in every friendship there is always a different one. Charlotte and Avery were extroverts: the type who loved parties, fun, and attention. I, on the other hand, was happiest curled up in my hoodie, wrapped in a blanket with a movie, a playlist, or a good novel. Especially romance novels. I loved them. My life, however, was entirely romanticless—if that's even a word. Lol.
My best friends might have boyfriends fighting for their attention, but me? I've spent years hiding my crush on Adrian Hardin.
I've liked him since the second year of junior high. It was love at first sight—or at least my version of it, heavily influenced by too many romance novels. Adrian had just transferred to Swellview after his family moved here, and from the moment I saw him, I was done for. He was impossibly good-looking, and yes, my stomach filled with butterflies every time he walked past.
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Author's voice: Tessa, really? You're going on and on. Why don't you just tell us more about Adrian already? Does he even notice you?
Tessa: Hey! Don't be rude, dummy.
So, let me introduce my crush properly. His name is Adrian Hardin ,18 years of age. He's the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Hardin—two wealthy doctors who travel the world, owning hospitals across different countries.
Adrian isn't just good-looking. He's the school's heartthrob—smart, popular, and athletic. A straight-A student, a star on the basketball team, and… well, just about perfect. What makes him even better is that he's not a jerk. He doesn't bully people, doesn't play with girls' feelings, and doesn't chase every skirt in sight.
He's the kind of guy who seems untouchable. And me? I'm just the quiet girl with a crush big enough to fill a diary.
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People always say that if you believe in love, you'll get your perfect love story. I believe in love—but my story is still unwritten.
Instead, my life has been about focusing on school, chasing the grades I need to earn a scholarship at Stanford University—the school I've dreamed about for as long as I can remember. My priorities are simple: be a straight-A student, survive high school as an introvert, sneak in my romance novels, silently admire Adrian from afar, and somehow keep up with my two outgoing besties.
Today is Saturday—the weekend, apparently,it's always being a weekend cause we are on break . I woke up at 6 a.m. to the shrill ring of my alarm clock, rolled out of bed, and laced up for my morning jog. Jogging has always been my ritual, my way of staying healthy and clearing my mind.
I pulled on my sports bra, running tights, and sneakers, grabbed my phone and earphones, and stepped outside with my favorite playlist blasting. Half an hour later, sweaty and refreshed, I returned home.
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The first thing I did was grab a bottle of water from the kitchen—hydration first, always. After a quick shower, I sat in my room waiting for Mom and dad to come home from their night shift at the hospital.
The truth? I didn't have much planned for the day. Sofia, one of the cheerleaders, was throwing yet another party. She was rich, beautiful, and basically the center of attention at school. Everyone was invited, including Charlotte and Avery, who were definitely going. They'd probably spend the whole night wrapped around their boyfriends' arms, while I stayed home—forgotten, the nerdy best friend.
I wandered back into the kitchen when the smell of something delicious hit me. Mom was cooking, while Dad sat on the counter munching on a burger—probably something he'd grabbed on his way home.
"Hey, old man, u're back" I teased, "didn't think you should get your favorite teddy bear one of those?"
"Sweetie, how are you doing? How could I forget my baby's favorite?" Dad grinned.
Lest I forget—burgers are my ultimate comfort food. Double cheese with coleslaw? Heaven.
"Hmmm, are you guys forgetting something?" I teased again, before turning to Mom. "Oh right—Mommy, good morning. How was your night at work?" I asked, wrapping her in a hug.
"Oh darling, it was great. But don't you think you should go out and have fun with your friends today? It's the weekend."
"Mom, I'm fine. Staying inside is fun for me."
"Alright, baby, if you say so."
"Mom, Dad, I'll be upstairs if you need me. Love you guys!" I shouted as I ran back to my room.
"I'll call you when the food's ready, sweetheart!" Mom called after me.
As I dashed upstairs, I thought about how much I loved my parents. They truly were the best.
We're not rich-rich like the Hardins, but we're comfortable. Mom and Dad run their own hospital, and while they work hard and stay busy, they've always found time for me. I've always dreamed of becoming a doctor too—someone who saves lives. To me, that's the most fulfilling thing anyone could do.
They had me two years after getting married, and since I'm an only child, I get all their love and attention. Maybe not excessively—because they're busy—but enough to make me feel cherished. They make up for every missed moment with family outings and bonding time. And honestly? I wouldn't trade them for the world.
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So, here begins the story of Tessa Monroe—seventeen, in her last year of high school. A girl with dreams, with best friends, with a crush she's never confessed. This is the year everything could change.
I hope you'll enjoy tagging along, because this story? It's one I'll never forget.It reminds me of my highschool life,my first boyfriend,my best friends ,prom and so on.