~•~(Julia's POV)~•~
In Language Arts Mrs. YEET moved the seating chart around, and Lisandro sat a few seats in front of me, on the side of the classroom farthest from the teacher's desk. We had a quiz over the Holocaust, and it seemed like I was the first one done. I was about to pull out a book, but then noticed a certain someone staring at me. Lisandro met my gaze, and smiled a little. The person in front of me and inbetween our desks was absent, so I had nothing to hide behind. 'What do I do? I've never been through something like this before!' So, I smiled back and grabbed my book, immediately opening it and pretending to forget he was there. A few moments later, a small paper airplane landed on my desk. Looking up, Lisandro was still looking back at me. 'Open it.' he mouthed. My curiosity got the better of me and I unfolded the plane.
'So Julia. How's life?'
I sighed and smiled before writing,
'Fantastic.'
And refolding the plane, checking Mrs. YEET wasn't watching, and throwing it back. I missed his desk by a long shot, and he held back laughter as he picked it up off the ground. I watched him read it and write a response, and it was once more in my possession. Suddenly, a shadow was cast over my desk and I gingerly looked up at an annoyed Mrs. YEET. "Whatcha got there Julia?" she asked, her glare burning into my soul. "A-A paper p-plane." I was frozen as she took it from my grasp, and unfolded it. I looked over to Lisandro and he sunk down in his chair, fearing what came next. After scanning the words, Mrs. YEET laughed a little and walked up to the front. "So Lisandro, would you care to share with the class what you wrote?" Every eye was on him as he refused to meet her gaze. "No ma'am..." he murmured. Mrs. YEET then smoothed out the note, smiling slyly. "Then I suppose I'll have to read it for you." Lisandro suddenly jumped up in panic. "NO PLEASE MRS. YEE- MRS. YATE! I'LL DO ANYTHING!" I had never imagined Lisandro being able to beg so desperately. 'Whatever he wrote, must be pretty crazy.' The teacher only smiled. "It's too adorable not to read." Lisandro slumped down in embarrassment as she began reading it out loud.
"So, I know this is kind of sudden since I haven't know you for a long time, but I think you're beautiful, smart, and an amazing percussionist, and I kind of like you."
The class erupted into laughter. The guys shouting to Lisandro things like, "Get some Lisandro!" while half the girls 'aaawwww'ed while the other half scowled that he didn't like them instead. I felt my face heat up as people started figuring out who the note was intended for. Lisandro was still slumped over his desk and I felt like doing the same. My head and my heart raced with so many feeling and thoughts. 'He likes me?' Lisandro sat up again, and looked back at me. "Julia, I-" then the bell rang and Lisandro was herded out of the room by a group of people poking fun and cheering as if he proposed or got laid (or both). Before I knew it, I was surrounded by people as well. A girl named Veronica was smiling warmly as she grabbed my hand, bouncing up and down slightly. "I can see it already! You guys are adorable!" I blushed nervously, as they all chatted away. 'The question is, do I like him back?'
~•~•~•~
Once I got home I slid onto the couch and groaned. My older sister looked over from her spot in the kitchen. "What's up?" I buried my face into a pillow. "Boys." she laughed a little and walked over. "Julia, I'm pretty sure you're overthinking it a lot." she sat down next to me as I sat up. "What do you mean?" She patted my head, as if she was a wise elder with all the answers to dating. "Julia, you're only thirteen. A few years ago, dating was simply meeting at recess to share a bag of Doritos. I can't imagine dating has gotten that much more serious since then. Don't overthink it. But also be wise with your decision, whatever it may be." She yawned and grabbed her backpack. "Whelp. I got a huge trigonometry review so I'll be in my room if you need me." she began walking off but I stopped her before she disappeared up the steps. "Hey sis, you're the best." she did an exaggerated hair flip before replying,
"I know."
~•~•~•~
