Romance novell: Young Love

Chapter One — The Note in the Locker

The morning started like any other. My hair was doing that annoying wave thing, my Converse squeaked on the linoleum, and I was trying to keep my heart rate under control because Jesse Cruz was leaning against his locker four feet away from me.

Jesse, my best friend since third grade. Jesse, whose smile had exactly one crooked tooth, which somehow made it perfect. Jesse, who smelled like soap and peppermint gum and who’d started dating Taylor Martin last week.

I pretended I was cool with it. Because that’s what best friends do.

The Note

At 7:42 a.m., I opened my locker and something white fluttered to the floor. A folded note. No heart doodles. No glitter pen. Just black ink, slanted and sharp.

“You don’t know who your friends are. But I do.”

My stomach twisted into knots. I looked around the hallway, suddenly hyper-aware of how many people were watching me. Football guys slamming lockers. Sophomores rushing past. Taylor Martin, flawless in ripped jeans and a designer backpack, glancing at me from near the water fountain.

And Jesse. He caught my eye. Lifted his chin. Gave me that grin that said, You okay, G?

I crumpled the note and shoved it in my pocket.

Jesse Joins Her

“Morning, G,” Jesse said, swinging his locker shut. His dark hair flopped into his eyes, and he brushed it away the way he always did. “You look like you’re about to throw up.”

“Thanks, that’s exactly what every girl wants to hear at 7:45 a.m.”

He bumped my shoulder. “I’m serious. You good?”

No, Jesse. I’m not good. Because I’m in love with you. And you’re kissing Taylor Martin under bleachers while I wait outside stage crew like an i***t.

But instead, I forced a shrug. “Totally peachy.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Did something happen? You look… weird.”

I snorted. “Thanks again.”

Taylor Appears

That’s when Taylor swooped in, sliding her arm through Jesse’s like she owned him.

“Hi, babe,” she purred, planting a kiss dangerously close to his mouth.

My lungs squeezed tight.

“Hey, Taylor,” I said, because I’m polite even when I’m dying inside.

She gave me a perfect, plastic smile. “Gina. Cute shirt. Vintage?”

“It’s my dad’s old concert tee.”

“Right. Adorable.” She tugged Jesse closer. “Walk me to homeroom, babe?”

He looked torn for half a second. Then nodded. “Catch you later, G.”

And just like that, he disappeared into the hallway, his hand wrapped around hers.

Gina’s Thoughts

I leaned against my locker, the hallway suddenly buzzing around me like a hive.

You don’t know who your friends are. But I do.

My pulse thudded in my ears. I couldn’t tell if the note was talking about Jesse. Or Taylor. Or me. But as I stared after Jesse, one truth burned in my chest like a brand: I wasn’t just Jesse’s best friend anymore.

I was the girl who was in love with her best friend. And now someone else knew it.