The morning started the way it always did in Wellington Estate—quiet, neat, and way too serious. I sat at the long dining table with more food than I could ever finish. The toast was perfect, eggs fluffy, and juice cold. Everything lined up like a hotel commercial.
My mom was already gone. Again.
There was a note in her handwriting by my glass.
> "Business trip to New York. Be back by Friday. Be good. – Mom."
I folded it and slipped it into my bag. I wasn't surprised. She was barely around these days. That was normal.
Mavis, the housekeeper, walked in and handed me a lunch box.
"Here, love. Don't forget to eat today."
"Thanks, Mavis," I said, taking it.
"Want me to call Tom to bring the car around ?" she asked, wiping her hands on her apron.
I shook my head. "I'll walk."
She gave me a look like I'd just said I wanted to walk into a thunderstorm. I just smiled and grabbed my bag.
The walk to school was about fifteen minutes. I liked the quiet. Just me, the wind, and the sound of my sneakers on the pavement.
I was five minutes away when I heard fast footsteps behind me.
Before I could turn—
"Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! Good morning, Raven!"
Something warm slammed onto my back. I almost tripped.
Dove Lockette.
She clung to me like a backpack, giggling. Her hair smelled like strawberries. She finally let go and skipped to my side, grinning like she had no care in the world.
"Morning, Dove," I said, already feeling the ache in my chest.
Dove was—well, Dove. Beautiful, bright, and completely out of my league. The sun caught her eyes, making them look even bluer than usual. Her long side bangs danced in the breeze. She looked like she belonged in a shampoo ad.
My heart did that annoying thing again.
The skip. The twist.
I swallowed and looked away before I said something dumb.
Dove had been my best friend since forever. And I had the biggest crush on her. I kept it hidden because… well, how do you tell your best friend you're in love with her? You don't.
You just smile.
And ache quietly.
And pretend it's nothing when she hugs you too long or holds your hand when she's excited.
She started talking about something random—probably the squirrel she saw on her fence this morning or how her toast got stuck in the toaster. She was always full of stories, and I liked listening.
Then I noticed her shirt was flying out from under her vest and her collar was standing like a duck beak.
I sighed. "Hopeless," I murmured, tugging the hem of her shirt into place.
"Fashion statement," she winked. "Effortless chaos."
"That's not a real thing."
"Says the girl who color-codes her notebooks."
"I like structure."
"I like fun."
"Hold still," I said, fixing her up.
She puffed out her cheeks. "You're such a tidy turtle."
I rolled my eyes. "Tidy turtle?"
"Yeah. You're always neat and quiet, like a tiny turtle librarian. Super cute."
She smiled at me.
And just like that, I almost died again.
We walked through the school gates, Dove waving and high-fiving every single person we passed like she was the mayor. I followed beside her like a tired assistant. I only nodded back at people if they greeted me first. That was enough.
The hall roared with chatter. Her laugh cut through it all, bright and contagious. She was talking about her weekend, which included a picnic, two broken glasses, and a failed cake experiment. I was enjoying it until she suddenly gasped.
"Oh no… I forgot Mr. Lorne's assignment!"
I blinked. "You mean the essay due today?"
"Don't say it like that," she groaned. "Please, Raven. Just this once. I swear I'll do it next time."
"You said that last time."
"I mean it this time! Pinky promise!"
I sighed, trying to act tough. "I shouldn't…"
She gave me the puppy eyes. The worst kind.
"Fine," I muttered, digging into my bag and handing her my notes.
"Yesssss!" she squealed, hugging me. "You're my savior."
I pinched her cheek.
"Ow! Hey, that kinda hurts."
"Serves you right."
She giggled and we kept walking.
Then the first bell rang and the hallway emptied as everyone headed to class.
******
The First period was Biology
Mr. Fischer droned on about cellular respiration like he was half asleep
Then a sticky note slid across my desk
It read:
Let's skip lunch and go to the bakery. My treat.
Then a doodle of a smiling cupcake.
I bit back a smile and scribbled:
You say that every Monday. We never go.
She wrote back:
I mean it this time. You need fun. Doctor's orders.
You're not a doctor.
I could be. Dr. Dove sounds sexy.
I almost choked on air. She saw my face, giggled silently, and fist-bumped the air like she scored a goal.
God. She had no idea. No idea what she did to me.
******
Lunch came. We didn't skip. She got pulled into planning something for the school play and promised, Tomorrow, for real. I nodded, like I didn't care.
After school, I waited while she chatted with three other students in the parking lot. Then she ran to me, out of breath, and poked my side.
"Thanks for waiting, shadow queen," she said.
I didn't know if she meant the nickname as a joke or compliment. Either way, I liked it.
We walked partway home together. She talked about a new band she discovered, made fun of my "tragic" music taste, and I just… soaked it all in. Every laugh. Every look. Every second.
******
That night, I lay on my bed, lights off, ceiling blank.
I replayed the whole day. Every smile. Every touch.
I was in love with her.
And I had no idea what to do about it.
My phone buzzed beside me.
A stream of texts came in from Dove.
First, a blurry photo of her with her cat, Bubbles, perched on her head.
Then another—her pouting while Bubbles sat smugly in her lap.
Then one where she made a peace sign with whipped cream on her nose.
I stared at them like an idiot.
My heart was pounding.
She really had no idea what she was doing to me.
Gosh. She's an idiot.
A very cute and adorable idiot.
I typed:
> cute. now go to sleep. we have school tomorrow.
She sent back a 😛 emoji
Then: booo
Then: okay goodnight
I locked my phone, hugged my pillow, and smiled into the dark.
God help me.