It didn't take long to become obvious.
Mira tried to act normal—she really did. But the way her eyes followed Calvin when he talked, the way she laughed a little too quickly at his jokes, the way she suddenly volunteered to sit next to him during planning meetings… it was all there.
I noticed first.
Calvin was sprawled across a chair, explaining something with exaggerated hand movements. Mira sat across from him, chin resting on her hand, smiling like she was watching her favorite scene in a movie.
I leaned toward Xavier and whispered, "Do you see that?"
He glanced up, then back at Mira. "…Yeah."
Calvin finished talking and looked at her. "What?"
"Nothing!" Mira said quickly, straightening up. "You're just… funny."
Calvin blinked. "I am funny."
She laughed again, cheeks pink this time.
Xavier raised an eyebrow slightly, and I had to bite my lip to keep from smiling.
Later, while packing lists were being handed out, Mira walked beside me. "So… Clavin's really close to you, right?"
"Best friends," I said.
She nodded, trying to sound casual. "He's easy to talk to."
"That's Calvin," I replied gently. "He makes people feel comfortable."
Her smile softened. "Yeah. He really does."
Across the room, Calvin caught my eye and mouthed, What? clearly confused by all the glances being sent his way.
I just shook my head, amused.
It was strange—in a good way—seeing someone else develop feelings, watching something new begin quietly in the background. It reminded me that not all crushes arrive loudly. Some grow slowly, unnoticed by the person they're meant for.
As we left the classroom, Mira walked a little closer to Calvin than before.
And Calvin—completely unaware—kept talking like nothing in the world had changed.
But something had.
And somehow, it made the upcoming trip feel even more unpredictable than before.