CHAPTER THREE

While most kids hate going to school, I was the exception to the rule. For me, school wasn't just a place for classes and homework—it was my escape. At home, things were chaotic, messy in a way that made me feel small. But at school, I could blend into the background, a quiet observer of everyone else's drama rather than being the star of my own.

This morning, though, felt different. As I made my way to school, backpack slung over one shoulder and headphones on to drown out the world, I couldn't stop thinking about him. The guy from the diner. Twice now, we'd crossed paths. The first time was an absolute disaster when I'd spilled coffee all over him while trying to balance my tray. The second? Well, that was worse in its own way—I'd seen him again, driving by with his brother, and instead of acknowledging him like a normal person, I'd pretended not to see him. Smooth, right?

As I got closer to the school, I shook my head, hoping to push the embarrassing memories aside. But something inside me was buzzing, a weird mix of anticipation and nerves that I couldn't quite shake.

I walked through the school gates, weaving through the crowded halls. It was just another ordinary day, right? Nothing out of the ordinary. Just get through the day, I told myself. But when I reached my classroom, the door slightly ajar, I froze. Sitting there, at the back of the room, casually flipping through his phone, was him. The guy from the diner. 

Of course, he would be here. Because the universe has a twisted sense of humor, obviously. My heart did a weird little flip as I stood there for a second, not sure what to do. Should I say something? Apologize again for the coffee incident? Or just sit somewhere far, far away and pretend I still hadn't noticed him?

Before I could decide, he looked up, and our eyes met. My heart did another flip—this one bigger and more awkward than the last.

He smiled, a slow, easy grin that made me want to simultaneously melt into the floor and run out of the room. 

"Hey," he called out, his voice carrying across the room, "no coffee this time, right?"

I blinked, trying to process the fact that he was talking to me. It took a second, but I managed a smile, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. "No coffee, I promise."

I started toward the empty seat near him, suddenly hyper-aware of every step I took. As I sat down, I could feel him watching me, that same playful grin on his face.

"You know," he said, leaning a little closer, "we've run into each other twice now. I figured it was time we actually introduced ourselves." He extended his hand. "I'm Ryan, by the way."

I looked down at his hand, then back up at him, my heart pounding in my chest. His green eyes were warm, playful, like he found this whole situation amusing in the best way possible. I hesitated for only a second before taking his hand, feeling a spark of something I couldn't quite name.

"Emily," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Emily," he repeated, like he was testing the sound of it. "Well, Emily, if we run into each other again, I'm starting to think it might be fate."

I laughed, shaking my head. "I don't know about that. I think fate's just trying to embarrass me."

He leaned back in his chair, still smiling. "Could be worse. At least we've got something to laugh about now."

I smiled back, feeling the tension I didn't realize I'd been holding in start to ease. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all. And as the teacher walked in, signaling the start of class, I couldn't help but feel like this was the beginning of something different—something unexpected, but in the best possible way.