He Chose Me

The first day of senior year was always a mixture of excitement and nerves, but for Abigail, it felt like walking onto a stage she wasn’t sure she was ready for. With her backpack slung over one shoulder and her hair neatly pinned back, she walked through the school gates of Crestwood High, trying not to trip over her own shoes. Her best friend, Sarah, bounded up beside her, practically radiating energy. “Come on, Abby! Don’t tell me you’re still nervous after all these years!” Abigail forced a small smile. “I’m not nervous. Just… aware. You know, senior year. Everyone’s watching.” Sarah rolled her eyes. “Yeah, but don’t act like you don’t already have admirers. You’re, like, the nicest person in this school. People notice that.” Abigail flushed, looking down at her feet. “I just want this year to be normal.” As they turned the corner toward the main building, Abigail’s eyes fell on a group of students gathered around the steps. And there he was—Ethan. Ethan. The name alone made her stomach flip. With his messy brown hair, casual denim jacket, and a smile that seemed to make the sun jealous, he was the kind of boy who drew attention effortlessly. Not in a boastful way, but in a way that made people want to be near him. And, to Abigail’s horror, her heart did a little somersault at the sight. Ethan’s laughter rang out as he joked with his friends, but then, almost like fate, his gaze caught hers for a split second. Abigail felt heat creep up her neck as his warm, curious eyes lingered before he smiled politely and returned to his group. “See?” Sarah whispered, nudging her. “Notice anyone?” Abigail quickly looked away, hoping her face wasn’t as red as it felt. “No. Not really.” That moment, however fleeting, left a trace she couldn’t shake. Ethan had an aura that made it impossible to ignore him. And, unbeknownst to her, someone else had noticed the same thing. Vanessa, one of the most fashionable girls in the senior class, leaned against a nearby locker, arms crossed. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, followed Abigail and Ethan. Vanessa had a reputation for being competitive—especially when it came to attention, popularity, and, of course, boys. And she had set her sights on Ethan long ago. Seeing him glance at Abigail ignited a spark of jealousy she couldn’t contain. Meanwhile, the bell rang, and students hurried to their first classes. Abigail and Sarah walked to homeroom, but the encounter had left Abigail distracted. She couldn’t stop replaying the moment, wondering if it had really happened or if her imagination was playing tricks. “Abby?” Sarah’s voice pulled her back. “You’re daydreaming again. Focus!” Abigail shook her head, smiling faintly. “Yeah, yeah. I’m fine.” But deep down, she knew nothing would be the same. Something had shifted—a subtle pull toward someone she barely knew but already felt a strange connection with. And somewhere across the hall, Vanessa’s lips curled into a tight, knowing smile. The senior year had begun. And it was about to get complicated. This chapter introduces Abigail, Sarah, Ethan, and Vanessa, sets up the love triangle, and hints at the tension to come.