He was the boy everyone adored.
I was the girl who didn’t care.

To me, Lawrence was just another classmate—too loud, too curious, and far too popular for my quiet life. But for some reason, he chose to sit beside me, talk to me, and look at me as if I was someone important.

I didn’t notice the way his eyes lingered when I smiled.
I didn’t notice how his questions weren’t just random—they were his way of getting closer.
I didn’t notice the whispers behind me, the jealous stares, or the rumors spreading across the class.

But maybe… he wanted me to notice.

Because the more I ignored what was happening, the more I realized that something was changing between us.

And by the time I finally understood what it was, it was already too late—
…or maybe, it was just the beginning.

Some people say the heart chooses without asking permission.


But in my case, it didn't even bother to notice.


When I first met him, he was just another boy in class—loud, curious, and way too talkative for my quiet life. I treated him like a friend, like how I treated everyone else. I never thought of him as someone special, even when he sat beside me every single day, asking silly questions like, "Do you like cats or dogs more?" or "What's your favorite color?"


I didn't realize that, while I was just answering casually, someone behind me was already whispering, "They look so good together."


I didn't realize that, while I was just writing notes, he was watching me instead of the blackboard.


I didn't realize that, while I was busy being "just his seatmate," he was slowly choosing me in a way I couldn't understand yet.


And maybe—just maybe—I didn't want to understand it back then.


Because the truth is… I didn't notice him.


Not until it was already too late to ignore what my heart was trying to say.


Chapter 1 - Prologue