IT WAS JUST A CRUSH

CHARLOTTE'S POV “Try not to look like a lost puppy today,” Emily said as she brushed past me, heels clicking against the marble floor. I adjusted my glasses and zipped my hoodie halfway. My comfort armor. I wasn’t here to impress anyone. Especially not people who barely knew I existed. Emily always acted like we came from different planets, not the same parents. While she was headed for cheer practice and another round of photoshoots, I was preparing for a quiz and hoping nobody noticed I was alive. But then... he happened. Liam Walker. Golden boy. Walking perfection. Son of a billionaire. Captain of the football team. Every girl’s dream—and every guy’s secret competition. He stood by his locker, surrounded by his usual crew: Jace, the loud best friend who always had a joke. Riley, the smooth-talker who flirted with the lunch ladies. Nova, the only girl in their squad—sharp tongue, sharper eyeliner. And then Liam—leaning against the locker like the hallway belonged to him. He laughed at something Jace said, flashing that movie-star smile, and I looked away fast. Just a glimpse. That was all I ever allowed myself. But when I looked back... His eyes were on me. My breath caught. He didn’t just glance—he was looking. Like I wasn’t part of the wall. Like I wasn’t just Emily’s awkward little sister. Then came the smile. Soft. Subtle. Like a secret. My heart? Gone. I turned away so fast, I nearly walked into a trash can. “Whoa,” Leah said, appearing at my side with perfect timing. “Charlotte. What was that?” “What was what?” I played dumb. “That was Liam Walker smiling at you. SMILING. AT. YOU.” I wanted to brush it off. Pretend it meant nothing. But my hands were shaking. Maybe he smiled at Nova and I got in the way. Or maybe—just maybe—he saw me. But why? --- LIAM’S POV “Dude,” Jace said, nudging me. “You zoning out again?” I nodded slightly, eyes still fixed on the girl who just bolted like she saw a ghost. Charlotte Brown. Quiet. Book-smart. Wears hoodies like armor. Nothing like the girls who chased me every day. And maybe... that’s what caught me. “She’s different,” I muttered. Riley snorted. “Different how? Like, library pass different or hiding-a-body different?” Nova rolled her eyes. “She's cute. You could use someone real for once.” I didn’t reply. Because truthfully? I was tired of the fake smiles. The people who only liked me because of the Walker name. Charlotte didn’t even know I existed. And that made her the most interesting girl in the room. --- AT THE WALKER ESTATE “Liam missed his early training again,” Mr. Walker barked as he loosened his tie. “This boy has one job—excel.” Mrs. Walker barely looked up from her tablet. “He’s balancing straight A’s, football, and interviews. He’s not a robot.” “He is a Walker. We don’t do average.” She sighed and closed her tablet. “You’re pushing him too hard. He’s 17, not 30.” Mr. Walker poured himself a drink. “There’s a lot at stake. We’ve been approached again about the overseas scholarship offer.” Mrs. Walker turned her head sharply. “You’re still considering sending him abroad?” “He doesn’t know yet. And I’d like to keep it that way—for now.” --- CHARLOTTE AGAIN As I sat in the back of the classroom, pretending to focus on chemistry, my phone vibrated in my lap. Unknown Number: “I saw you trip. It was kind of adorable.” I stared. No name. But deep down, I knew exactly who it was. Before I could reply, a second message came in: “Nice hoodie, by the way. Blue suits you.” My cheeks flamed. Leah: “You’re blushing. Either you got a math question right or Liam Walker is texting you.” I didn’t answer. Because I was too busy trying to remember how to breathe. This was supposed to be just a crush. A silly, harmless feeling. But that smile, that message… this was something else. Something I wasn’t ready for. --- Tbc