Jasmine sat alone on the school’s rooftop, her favorite hideaway spot. The wind tousled her hair, and she clutched her diary, scribbling away the feelings she couldn’t voice.
Behind her, the door creaked open, and she quickly closed the diary. A tall figure emerged, blocking the sun’s rays.
“Hey, didn’t think anyone else knew about this spot,” the voice was unmistakably Ethan’s – the senior everyone admired, with deep hazel eyes and a charming smile.
Jasmine’s heart raced, “Hey, Ethan. Just…needed some space.”
He took a seat beside her. “Yeah, me too. Mind if I join you?”
She shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. “Sure, why not?”
Ethan hesitated, then spoke, “You know, ever since the semester began, I’ve felt different. It’s like there’s this constant buzz in my head, and I can’t place it.”
Jasmine bit her lip. She had felt something similar. “Is it… about someone?”
He looked into her eyes. “Yes. It’s confusing, thrilling, and terrifying all at once.”
Jasmine felt a connection, an unspoken understanding. “Ethan, is it your first time feeling this way about someone?”
He sighed, “Yeah. It’s like I notice things I never did before — the way she laughs, the way her eyes light up. But I’m also scared, you know? What if she doesn’t feel the same?”
She took a deep breath, her own feelings mirrored in his words. “I think the beauty of first love is in its uncertainty, its rawness. It’s a journey of discovery, not just about the other person but about oneself.”
Ethan smiled weakly, “You always have a way with words, Jasmine. It’s one of the things… well, that caught my attention.”
She blinked in surprise, “Wait, are you talking about…?”
He nodded, looking a little sheepish. “Yeah, it’s you. I didn’t know how to say it, and I didn’t want to ruin our friendship.”
Jasmine felt a warmth spread through her, a mix of relief and elation. “Ethan, I feel the same way. I’ve been writing about it, trying to understand it. It’s new, and it’s overwhelming.”
They both laughed, the tension melting away. “So, what now?” Ethan asked.
Jasmine grinned, “How about we take it one day at a time? After all, we’re in uncharted territory.”
He extended his hand, “Together?”
She took it, feeling the electricity between them, “Together.”
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