[PEARL]
There had been a change in Zach. He wasn't as serious or guarded anymore. There was a new lightness in his eyes, as if he was holding onto a secret that made him happy. It was like he had found a hidden joy that no one else could see.
The way Zach kept looking out the window made me wonder if he was feeling something different, something I wasn't sure I was ready for. He seemed almost excited, and the thought of him feeling that way about someone else sent a shiver through me. It made me feel both happy for him and sad for myself.
The signs of Zach's secret became more obvious. He had whispered phone calls that made him pace around with a nervous energy, as if he couldn't sit still. These phone calls were filled with excitement and anticipation, making him act unlike his usual c
