ME

SCHOOL HALLWAYS

May walked down the crowded hallway, her backpack slung over her shoulder. Maya walked beside her, chatting about their plans for the weekend.

As they turned a corner, Maya nudged May and whispered, "Hey, look. There's Jamie."

May followed Maya's gaze and caught sight of Jamie leaning against his locker. She felt a flutter in her chest, but quickly pushed the feeling aside.

Maya and May approached Jamie, who pushed off from his locker and smiled charmingly. "Hey, Maya. Hey, May."

May smiled politely. "Hey, Jamie."

Jamie launched into a conversation, asking Maya and May about their weekend plans. May listened, nodding along, but her mind began to wander.

She couldn't help but notice the way Jamie's eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, or the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck.

May felt a blush rise to her cheeks and quickly looked away, hoping no one had noticed.

May sat at her desk, scribbling notes as Mrs. Johnson lectured on the American Revolution. Maya sat beside her, doodling in the margins of her notebook.

May glanced over at Maya's notebook, raising an eyebrow at the intricate drawings. "You're so talented, Maya.Why don't you go for buildup classes?"

"I just don't have the passion for it, I just do it to weigh less boredom"

May nodded understandingly. "I get it. Sometimes I feel like that too."

Mrs. Johnson wrote on the blackboard, her voice droning on as she explained the significance of the Boston Tea Party. May's mind began to wander, her thoughts drifting back to Jamie and their awkward encounter earlier.

Maya nudged May with her elbow, whispering, "Hey, are you okay? You seem spaced out."

May shook her head, refocusing on the lesson. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just lost my train of thought for a second."

Maya smiled sympathetically. "I know the feeling."

As Mrs. Johnson continued to lecture, Maya discreetly pulled out a piece of paper and began to scribble a note. She folded the paper into a small square and passed it to May, who was sitting beside her.

May unfolded the note and read the message, her eyes scanning the page quickly. It was a doodle of Jamie with a thought bubble, saying "I'm watching you!" May giggled silently, trying not to draw attention to herself.

Maya grinned mischievously, happy to have made May laugh. She mouthed "I know, right?" and May nodded in agreement, both of them trying to stifle their giggles.

Mrs. Johnson looked up from her notes, eyeing the two girls suspiciously. "Is everything okay, May? Maya?"

May and Maya exchanged innocent glances, trying to appear nonchalant. "Yes, Mrs. Johnson," May replied, trying to sound sincere. "We're just taking notes."

May and Maya sat at their usual table in the cafeteria, unwrapping their sandwiches and salads. The noise level in the room was deafening, with students chatting and laughing with each other.

As they ate, Maya leaned in close to May, a mischievous glint in her eye. "So, have you heard the latest rumor about Jamie?" she whispered.

May raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "No, what's going on?"

Maya grinned. "Apparently, he's been seen talking to Rachel, and people are saying they might be dating."

May's eyes widened in surprise. "No way! I thought he was still hung up on Emily."

Maya nodded. "I know, right? But apparently, he's moved on. And Rachel is totally smitten."

May shook her head, laughing. "High school drama never ends, does it?"