The Boy She Never Forgot

Blythe had spent months convincing herself that she was over Caesar.

That the boy who had once been her best friend, her person, her everything, was just a part of her past now.

That she had moved on.

Then he started trying again.

And suddenly, she wasn't so sure anymore.

---

She told herself it was just habit.

That when he left a sunflower in her locker, it didn't mean anything.

That when he slid a pen onto her desk, she only used it because it was convenient—not because it reminded her of all the times he had done the same thing before.

That when he looked at her in the hallways, she didn't feel anything stirring inside her.

But she was lying.

Because no one else remembered her favorite flower.

No one else noticed the little details about her the way Caesar did.

And no matter how much she tried to ignore it, the truth was clear—

She had never really stopped thinking about him.

---

The hardest part was pretending it didn't affect her.

When he sat next to her at lunch again, she acted like it wasn't a big deal.

When he stole a fry from her tray, she rolled her eyes instead of snapping at him.

When he walked her to class, she let him.

And worst of all?

When he made her laugh, she let him.

That was when she knew she was in trouble.

Because she had spent months being angry, resenting him, telling herself she wouldn't let him back in.

And yet—

Here she was, doing exactly that.

---

It all came to a head one afternoon.

Caesar had caught up with her after school, falling into step beside her as if nothing had changed.

"I have a serious question," he said.

Blythe sighed. "That's never a good sign."

He grinned. "Do you ever get tired of being this mean to me?"

She smirked. "Nope."

He pressed a hand to his chest dramatically. "Wow. No hesitation."

Blythe just shook her head, but the smile lingered on her lips.

They kept walking, comfortable in the quiet, until Caesar finally said, "Do you want to get coffee?"

Blythe blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

He cleared his throat, suddenly looking almost nervous. "You, me. Coffee. Like old times."

She raised an eyebrow. "Like old times?"

He exhaled. "Okay, maybe not exactly like old times. But… I just—I miss talking to you."

Blythe looked at him carefully.

She had told herself she wouldn't let him back in so easily.

That she wouldn't just forgive him because he suddenly decided he wanted her in his life again.

But the way he was looking at her now—the way he had always looked at her, like she was the only person in the room—made it hard to remember why she had been trying so hard to keep him out.

She hesitated.

Then, finally, she sighed.

"…Fine."

Caesar's face lit up, and something warm curled in her chest.

"But just one coffee," she added.

He grinned. "I'll take it."

For the first time in a long time, something between them felt right again.

And maybe—just maybe—this was worth a second chance.