Warning: If you can't handle close friends teasing or pranking each other, this story isn't for you.

Dear Caleb,

I like you.

I'm sorry that I don't have the courage to say this to your face but I just had to tell you before graduation. I'll be waiting under the maple tree by the football field after school if you have a response.

Love,
XXX

A love letter?!

I stare in awe at the note in my grasp that happened to be tucked into the crack of my locker. The cursive writing, the pink paper and a girl claiming to like me? I can't believe it. I've never been Mr. Popular in the dating department so the idea of any girl confessing to me is, well, pure insanity.

Not to mention she said graduation, she's a senior?! I could get an older girlfriend. I try to think of how many senior girls I know, which is a lot actually. I have plenty of friends so I have absolutely no clue who this girl could be.

This can't be happening. It's not real. There's no way a girl is writing me a love note, confession, whatever one wants to call it!

"What do we have here?"

Suddenly, the note is snatched out of my grasp without consent. I shout, spinning on my heel to find who stole my paper. I'm not at all surprised to see DJ, my best friend since practically diapers, reading over the note with a shocked but still amused expression.

"What desperate girl wrote this?" DJ snickers, holding the paper above his head when I try to snatch it out of his grasp.

Damn it, being short is the worst! DJ makes sure to rub in our height difference all the time too, freaking over six foot tall sophomore, what the hell? That should be illegal! Puberty rammed into him like a mac truck! Lucky bastard.

"This girl obviously has great taste," I growl while trying to get the letter back. "If she likes me she has to be cool."

"Oh, are we teasing Caleb again? Nice, hand that over!" Yet another voice chimes in, this time it's Sam who takes the letter to read. While he isn't a freakishly tall giant like DJ he's still taller than my 5'5 self. Fuck genetics, it's my mom's fault, freaking five feet tall. "Who the hell writes a love note now days? Was that ever a thing? And to Caleb of all people!"

"Screw you guys, give it back!"

"Are you going to meet up with her?" Sam sneers, waving the letter before my eyes then holding it above his head much like DJ did.

"Of course I am!"

"He's that desperate for a girl," DJ laughs, shaking his head at me until I elbow him in the gut. He grunts at the unexpected hit then complains under his breath about how all short people are angry. Of course we are, the world is not made for short people! Everything is difficult!

"No, I don't even know who it is but the least I can do is meet her," I explain after Sam finally hands the letter back to me. Once it's safe within my grasp I put it into my folder for safe keeping. "She probably worked up a lot of courage to write this. I should say hi to her-"

"Possibly set up a date, some cuddling while watching a movie then holding hands and no more than that because Caleb's knowledge stops there." Sam cackles earning himself an agreeing nod from DJ.

My face warms up at his teasing. So what if not all of us are good with the ladies? Maybe I don't want to know more than that! Wait, yes I do, who the fuck am I kidding? I can't even lie to myself, whatever, that isn't the point!

"Shit like this is why I can't share anything with you two."

DJ chuckles. "Obviously, what else are friends for?"

"Support!"

Sam laughs so hard he starts to snort. Seriously, fuck them! Freaking assholes! I'm about to elbow Sam when he notices my movements and dodges just in time. Of course, being the ass that he is, he sticks out his foot for me to trip over. With a loud curse, I stumble forward into the hall. Most kids avoid me in order to not get hit but one just happens to be right in front me at the right or wrong time depending on how one looks at it.

With a grunt, I fall into the chest of an unknown person. I feel their hands grasp my shoulders to keep me up right while their legs manage to steady us. Thanks to them I didn't fall flat on my face but my pride sure as hell fell about a 100 feet, especially when I see who it is that caught me.

Preston Stavar.

"Sorry!" I shout so loudly that the boy actually flinches. Shit, I uh...didn't meant to make it worse, well, shit, this is even more awkward. Can I say shit again?

"It's fine," Preston speaks softly, his hands finally releasing me so I can stand on my own again. I take about two steps back, sending an apologetic smile up at Preston, yet another freakishly tall sophomore but to me everyone is tall. Preston doesn't look bothered but his quiet stare gives me the chills. Those hazel eyes of his could pierce through anyone.

"I was trying to hit Sam for being an ass then he tripped me...cause he's an ass," I try to explain for some reason, which doesn't seem to affect Preston in the least. He gives Sam a glance but quickly returns that silent stare to me. Then he hums, gives a quiet nod and walks off without another word while putting in his earbuds.

"Damn it, Sam!" I hiss, spinning around to glare at my so called friend. "You made me run into Preston!"

"So?"

"So, we cause him trouble all the time! I bet he hates us."

"So?" Sam repeats with a shrug. "I'm sure he hates most of us. He's so quiet that it's hard not to bother him."

Our group, ok so it's mostly me, is pretty loud. Preston, and the few people he actually communicates with, definitely is not. Most of the time he's listening to music or reading. He doesn't partake in class events unless absolutely necessary nor does he show up to any after school activities. The only club he's in is the art club but even there it seems he keeps to himself.

It's not like he's a bad guy though. Preston's actually pretty nice, at least when he needs to be. One time my bike got a flat tire and I couldn't ride it home so Preston waited with me for over an hour after school until my mom picked me up. We honestly didn't talk much but it wasn't bad. It's just a bunch of little things that makes Preston nice even if he doesn't talk much.

I wouldn't call us friends though. Our school's so small that it's hard not to associate with one another. I'm sure if he had the opportunity to avoid me all the time, he'd take it.

The three of us head off to class to enjoy our last week of school before summer fun time! We've got four days left this week then we're off for the next three months. Obviously that means we aren't doing anything in class other than goofing off. Most kids are skipping actually but my parents would kill me if I tried. I don't mind it though, hanging out with my friends in class where we aren't doing anything isn't bad in my book.

Of course DJ and Sam have to inform everyone about my now not-so-secret admirer.

"How old school, writing a love letter, but to Caleb? What a waste," Mark teases with a huge grin reaching ear to ear.

"I don't need to hear this again, DJ and Sam have said it since this morning!" I kick my legs angrily from where I'm sitting atop my desk. Mrs. Jackel isn't having us do anything so she's at the front of the room talking with some students.

"Hey, Kara, would you write Caleb a love letter?"

Kara, one of our classmates, perks at the call of her name. With a confused stare, the girl replies almost hesitantly, "No way."

Ouch!

The guys all laugh while I place a hand over my chest in fake pain. Kara quickly realizes her mistake and tries to explain, "N-Not that Caleb is a bad guy o-or something! Just...I wouldn't...write a love letter. Why are you asking?"

"Cause he got himself an admirer!" DJ sings, attempting to snatch the folder that is holding said love letter. I quickly grab the folder and sit on it cause apparently that is the safest place, under my ass, I think I'm an idiot.

Kara giggles. "That's so cute! Who is it, Caleb?"

"Cute?" Mark grimaces, seeming ready to argue but I beat him to it.

"Don't know, it wasn't signed."

"Aw, well, I bet she's lovely!" Kara comes up to me to give me a hug. She then turns a glare onto the guys who all stare at her in confusion. "And you three!" She points accusingly at each of them. "Stop teasing him about it. You're just jealous!"

"That's right!" Someone is finally on my side!

"Oh yeah, totally jealous." Sam rolls his eyes and looks around the classroom for the next target. There isn't a lot of students here so it doesn't take him long to pick someone. "Oi, Preston!"

I stiffen at the name, quickly hissing at Sam to leave him be. Glancing over my shoulder, I see the boy slowly raising his head from the book he's reading. Brushing some of the dark hair from his face, Preston cocks his head to the side to show he heard us.

"If you were a girl, would you write Caleb a love letter?"

Did he seriously just ask that?! That's an uncomfortable question no matter how you phrase it!

I quickly kick Sam's desk for it. The kid chuckles maniacally, as do the rest of my friends while I spin to face Preston with yet another apologetic smile. Those hazel eyes of his are watching me with that same silent stare. I'm ready to apologize to him a second time today but he ends up speaking before I get the chance.

"If I liked him enough I would," Preston answers that with such a straight face that it causes all of us to freeze.

He shrugs at the response, or rather lack thereof, and turns right back to reading his book like nothing happened. Well, I could thank him for shutting the guys up but I'm too embarrassed.

Turning around, I face my friends who easily bounce back from the shock. They're teasing me yet again and that continues for the rest of the day. Ah, friendship is such a wonderful thing, isn't it?

When our last class ends I feel numerous pats on the back as well as hear some "good luck" and "don't fuck it up." I roll my eyes at their teasing tones that tell me they don't see anything coming from this. Neither do I honestly but, it would feel rude if I never talked to this girl so, with a deep breath, I head to the maple tree after class.

There's no one there so I sit beneath the tree with my phone in hand. Slowly the students begin to dwindle, one by one until the parking lot is void of anyone. Time ticks away until it's nearing four o'clock, meaning almost an hour has passed. Part of me says to leave but another part says maybe this girl is too nervous to show up. It's not like it bothers me either because I sure as hell wouldn't have the guts to write a love letter or meet with my crush afterwards. Most people would have left by now and I know that I should but, I don't know, I'm too nice for my own good?

However, waiting does start to become a pain. It's so freaking hot out even in the shade of the tree. The humidity is causing me to sweat, the ends of my hair are sticking to my forehead and neck. It starts to itch and I'm starting to think I should just leave. Obviously this girl isn't showing up so there's no point in me waiting.

My thoughts on whether or not to leave are put on hold when I feel something cool press against my forehead. Looking up, I find Preston leaning towards me with a cold bottle of water in his hand. Feeling it pressed against my burning skin is a relief.

I snatch it immediately while asking, "Hey Preston, what are you still doing here?"

"Art club," he answers quietly while adjusting the strap to his backpack on his shoulder. "Still waiting?"

"Yeah, seems like she isn't going to show up," I reply after chugging half the bottle of water. That seems to amuse Preston because he gives a slight smirk.

"She won't show up," Preston says out of the blue causing me to look at him in confusion.

"Huh?"

"Mark and Sam are pranking you."

My jaw drops. What...the...hell?!

"They wanted to see how long you'd wait."

"Those assholes!" I scream, jumping up fast enough to shock Preston to take a step back. "I can't believe they did that, I'm going to kick their ass!"

Preston must find me funny because he lets out a quiet chuckle. The sound startles me since I don't hear it all that often. Looking over, I find him watching me with that same silent gaze but with a certain upward tilt to his lips. It makes me wonder if he sees me as stupid or something, he has to. I doubt many guys, or people in general, would fall for such a trick.

I'm such an idiot! I should have known, it was too fishy! There had to be a girl involved though cause the hand writing isn't theirs. Their writing is hardly legible.

I scratch nervously at the back of my neck. "Ah, sorry that you felt obligated to come out here and tell me. The guys and I always seem to be bugging you."

Preston's smile disappears, his face returning to an almost solemn expression when he says, "You don't bother me."

"R-Really? Oh, that's...that's good, cool, I guess I always thought we annoyed you." That's a shocker cause I feel like 90% of the time we're interrupting his reading time or shouting while he's trying to nap in class.

"Not at all."

Wow, I'm learning a lot today like Preston doesn't hate us and all my friends are assholes...except DJ. He's in the clear unless I learn he was in on it too.

"Must bother you. You probably thought there would be a cute girl out here waiting for you," Preston says with a frown. His voice comes off as almost annoyed and it has me wondering why. Does he think the guys hurt my feelings or something? Cause I wasn't expecting anything so it's all good.

I shrug. "I mean, I didn't think anything would happen so it's whatever."

"What would you have done if she was here then?" Preston inquires, his questioning kind of throws me for a loop. This isn't the longest conversation we've had but it's certainly the most personal one. I never thought he'd like talking about stuff like this, kind of falls under gossip, doesn't it?

I've never been one to keep things to myself though, sometimes that's simply because I never know when to shut up. It doesn't bother me to answer honestly.

"I guess it would have depended on who it was. If it was someone I'm close with I think I'd like to give it a shot because, if we're close there's a reason for it, right?" It's kind of a rhetorical question and Preston seems to think that as well because he simply nods.

"And if it was someone you didn't consider yourself close with?"

"I guess I'd want us to hang out, get to know each other better and see how it goes from there!"

Preston hums, nodding his head again, his response easily taking us into silence. A soft breeze comes by, slightly cooling us off. Even with the breeze it's unbearably hot and all I wish to do is get into some air conditioning.

"What does it matter though!" I laugh, slapping Preston playfully on the arm. "It didn't happen so who cares! Ah, but it's so hot out and I've been out here for over an hour. If I stay out here any longer I'm going to be cooked on the inside so lets head home! Oh, are your parents picking you up? I can wait with you till they get here!"

My rambling seems to have flown in one of Preston's ears and out the other because he doesn't respond. Instead, he stands before me with his gaze locked on the ground. The grip he has on the strap of his backpack tightens to the point that his knuckles turn white. There's even a slight shiver in his shoulders that worries me.

"Preston, you ok? Is the heat getting to you?"

No response.

His teeth come out to bite at his bottom lip to the point it seems painful. I begin to frown and wonder what I can do to help but time sort of stops when Preston finally whispers something I never thought I'd hear, especially from him.

"I like you, Caleb."

Huh?

Preston raises his head to look me in the eye, that silent stare of his replaced with one I've never seen him wear. There's a light dusting of pink beneath his eyes that are screaming at me that his words are true. It actually causes my hands to shake.

"I know I'm not the cute girl you probably wanted to hear that from." Preston lets out a forced chuckle, a sad one that ripples through me to the point I almost feel sick. "But, at least you got a real confession."

I'd respond but my brain seems to have short circuited. Something within me snaps in that moment and causes every function to simply stop. Preston doesn't wait around long enough to hear an answer anyways. He gives a quick wave goodbye, backing away as he does before spinning on his heel and bolting towards the front of the school like the hounds of hell are hot on his trail.

I've never seen him move so fast in my life.

I've never seen him blush before either.

My mind chooses to focus on the latter more than anything else while my heart chooses to focus on what he said.

~

If you don't like the friendship between Caleb and his friends then that simply means it isn't for you. If they are nothing but happy you don't have the right to try and make them unhappy. Preston really DID NOT write the note. Sam and Mark were pranking Caleb like he said. Also, Caleb's friends phrased the "if you were a girl" question like that because they would never put someone on the spot and make them feel like they were outted. End of story. 

I just felt like writing some cute shit so here you go! If you don't like it then by all means, drop it :)