The sunlight streamed through Leia's curtains, painting her room in soft golden streaks. Her walls, neatly arranged with posters and photos, reflected the calm she felt inside - a stark contrast to the chaos of school hallways she knew awaited her. Even though she had only been away for a short break, the days had given her a boost of confidence, a reminder that she could breathe and be herself. She adjusted the strap of her bag and peeked inside, making sure the small, wrapped gift for Miles was still there. Nothing fancy, just a little token for his fifteenth birthday. She hoped he would like it.
Stepping outside, the familiar streets of her neighbourhood greeted her. Children rushed past, their laughter echoing off the houses. Neighbours waved from the sidewalks, and the scent of freshly cut grass lingered in the air. Everything felt the same, yet Leia felt subtly different - more self-assured, more aware of herself. And still, her thoughts drifted to him.
Miles, on the other side of town, had woken with a mix of anticipation and nerves. Fifteen today. It was a milestone, but it was nothing compared to seeing Leia again. She had been back for a few days, and today was the first full school day they'd share. He brushed his hair into place and glanced in the mirror, trying to appear calm. Acting nonchalant was always his specialty, but inside, he was buzzing. He imagined her walking through the gates, smiling, her eyes locking on his, and his chest tightened at the thought.
When Leia reached the school gates, she froze for a second. And there he was. Miles, leaning casually against a locker, hands shoved into the pockets of his hoodie, hair falling just slightly over his forehead. He looked the same - the boy she had grown up with - yet somehow taller, broader, more confident. Their eyes met, and for a split second, everything else disappeared. The bell, the students, the chatter - nothing existed outside the two of them.
Miles felt it too. Seeing Leia again made his heartbeat quicken. He tried to act cool, leaning against his locker as though he wasn't about to stride over and wrap her in a hug. But he couldn't stop stealing glances at her. His friends nudged him, sensing something was off.
"Dude... she's back," one whispered.
Miles shot him a look. "I know," he muttered, forcing a smirk. Inside, he was anything but calm. His birthday didn't matter. Nothing mattered except Leia standing there, bright and alive, as if the few days she'd been gone had never existed.
Leia, meanwhile, fumbled with her locker, pretending to organize her books while glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. She noticed the subtle ways he shifted, how his eyes would flicker to hers even when he tried to act indifferent. Her chest fluttered, and she forced herself to act normal, though her thoughts were anything but.
The bell rang, and the hallway erupted with students rushing to their classes. Leia slung her bag over her shoulder and began walking, weaving through the crowd, but she kept stealing glances at him. Miles, pretending to talk to his friends, kept his focus on her. Every step, every movement, drew him in.
Finally, he made his move. He walked up to her, careful to appear casual. "Hey," he said, voice low and teasing. "Missed you... welcome back."
Leia smiled softly. "Thanks... I missed you too."
They paused, letting the noise of the hallway fade into the background. For a perfect moment, it was just the two of them. Then Leia remembered - today was his birthday. She reached into her bag and handed him the small package.
"Happy birthday, Miles," she said, her voice quiet but warm.
Miles accepted it, grinning faintly. "You didn't have to," he said, though the sparkle in his eyes betrayed him.
"I wanted to," Leia replied, her lips curving into a teasing smile. "It's not every day my best friend turns fifteen."
Miles laughed softly, savouring the word "best friend." True, it was accurate, but it didn't capture everything he felt for her. Still, he let it pass for now, choosing to hold onto this small, perfect moment.
As they walked toward their lockers, Miles tried to act casual, though Leia could see the faint blush on his cheeks. "So... what did you do over the break?" he asked, a hint of curiosity in his tone.
"Not much," Leia shrugged, though her eyes betrayed her excitement. "Spent some time with family, caught up on sleep, and yes... I thought about you a little." She smirked, nudging him playfully.
Miles chuckled, his grin widening. "Thought about me, huh? Dangerous," he teased. "I might have to keep an eye on you now."
She rolled her eyes, but the warmth in her smile gave him away - she was enjoying the banter. "Yeah, good luck with that," she replied, her voice soft.
By the time they reached their lockers, their friends had started trickling in, noticing Leia's return. Some whispered, others nudged their companions, all eyes occasionally drifting toward the pair. Miles could feel the attention but didn't care. Today, it was only about her.
"Are we really going to make it through first period without getting detention?" Leia whispered, half-joking.
Miles grinned, leaning closer. "Depends... can you handle me being extra distracting today?"
Leia laughed, the sound soft and melodic. "Try me," she said, tossing her hair over her shoulder.
The first period passed in a blur of whispers, stolen glances, and small jokes exchanged under the teachers' noses. Every time their eyes met, Miles felt his heart skip, every small smile from Leia sending warmth straight through him. When the lunch bell rang, neither of them could resist walking toward each other once more.
Miles reached her first, gently bumping her shoulder. "So, birthday boy wants cake later?" he asked, teasing.
Leia grinned. "Maybe. But only if I get a slice too," she replied.
He laughed softly. "Deal. But only if you promise to save me a piece of that smile too."
She rolled her eyes, laughing again, but inside, she felt a flutter of happiness. For the first day back, nothing else mattered - school, friends, the world outside. All that mattered was the quiet moments between them, the teasing, the smiles, and the unspoken words.
By the end of lunch, Miles felt certain of one thing: his fifteenth birthday had just become the best one yet. And Leia... well, she had just reminded him why he couldn't imagine life without her.