I blankly stared at myself on the stainless glass mirror of the girls' restroom. My hands swept from my porcelain face to my chocolate hair. My eyebrows furrowed as I squinted my eyes.

For the past twenty-four hours, I felt unfamiliar sensations. I couldn't ponder on what they were, but I knew why I felt them. It felt as if I were walking on a path, but didn't know where I was going, so I kept walking back and forth, to and fro—wondering where to go.

Yesterday at lunch period, two special—unforgettable things happened. Both of them caught my attention. They were all I could think about. It's like my mind doesn't have any space to think about anything else.

Standing up to Millicent was bold of me. Most students at Westdale wouldn't have the guts to do something like that to the queen bee of the tenth grade. Heck, I wouldn't have stood up to Millicent if I didn't feel infuriated about the situation.

Since a lot of students at Westdale adore Millicent, they'd stick at her side. She's glitz and glamorous to them—even if she's not.

Don't get me wrong. I do not want to start a revolution between me and her. Most people would take her side anyway, but now, I don't want to take sides. I want to be free. Being free is a lot better to be normal, like me than to be used by popular snakes that slither through the bristles of lush grass, waiting to catch their prey.

Hanging out with Tyler during lunch period yesterday opened my eyes about what popularity is like through an introvert's perspective. I knew that he wasn't lying. Maybe some popular people here love being well-known, especially since they'll get attention from people of all cliques.

Yesterday when we were hanging out, I felt many various sensations. One part felt bad for Tyler, and how he doesn't seek attention, but he continues to get more without his wish. Another part of me felt a weird, unrecognizable feeling I never felt before.

I had this strange urge creep up my veins, telling me to comfort him. I couldn't hold anything back, so I did. I also wanted to show him that I could be a great person to him, which fortunately succeeded.

After a few minutes of speaking with each other, things started to escalate. I'm sure that I wasn't the only one who felt it.

There was one point where he got close to my face. My mouth dropped wide open with shock and excitement. I knew that something was about to happen, but my hopes dropped to the ground when we were interrupted by Landon.

I can't blame him for calling Tyler to see their basketball coach for whatever reason. It would have been a tad bit better if he would've just waited for everything to happen. But whenever a great moment is about to happen, there's always someone or something to accidentally—or purposely interrupt it.

My mind couldn't seem to get off of what happened yesterday. Every time I tried to think about something else, my mind wandered to something related. After, it bounced back to the near-kiss incident—which is what I will call it from now on.

I have not told Lizzie and Tracey about the incident yet. I plan on doing that as soon as possible. I know that they will be super excited, yet shocked. Maybe they'll even go into fangirl mode. Knowing them, they definitely would, especially over something like this.

"Earth to Rose," Lizzie interrupted my thoughts.

She shook my shoulders back and forth as I blinked my eyes a few times. My thoughts must have taken me away from reality. Judging the fact that there were many basketballs from the school gym meters away from us, and I still hadn't noticed them until now, I was definitely thinking hard.

"I'm here, I'm awake," I croaked. "I was just thinking about something."

"You seem to be thinking too hard. What are you even thinking about at lunch period?" Tracey queried, tapping her chin in thought with a finger.

My lips pursed into a frown as I rested my hands on the sturdy wall behind me. I hesitated on whether or whether not this was the perfect time to tell them about what happened yesterday.

For the sake of my brain, I finally decided that it would be best to tell them about it.

"I was thinking about yesterday. You know, Tyler and I," I felt a blush rush up to my cheeks.

"Interesting," Lizzie chuckled as she rested a hand on my shoulder. "What happened when you two were hanging out yesterday, anyway?"

"We were talking. . . about Tyler's problems," I answered. "Then, things started to escalate."

"Really? What happened?" Tracey questioned as she cupped a hand over her mouth in amusement.

I started to get hopeful flashbacks of what happened yesterday. Everything went fast between Tyler and I, but at the same time, it felt amazing. It was like for the first time forever, I felt love. . . romantic love.

Thinking about this didn't help my outer appearance. My cheeks and the area around my nose felt redder than ever, like ripe cherries ready to eat. It felt embarrassing, especially around the people who might brush past us and even see my face.

All of this forced me to open up about what happened yesterday.

"Things were heating up, like the burning hot weather outside," I explained curtly. "He leaned in pretty close to my face, and he looked as if he was about to kiss me. But all this stopped when we were interrupted by Landon."

"Wow, that's so adorable!" Lizzie gushed, clasping her hands together. "Since you said that he almost kissed you, do you think that it's possible that he has a small crush on you?"

I placed a finger over the tip of my chin deep in thought. It would take a good few moments for me to answer the question. I don't know how it would be possible for Tyler to have a crush on someone. . . like me.

And plus, Tyler having a possible crush on me would be a hot kettle of tea that needs to be spilled by the popular clique. I'm almost positive that no one ever in the popular clique has dated someone who is out of their clique. To some people of the clique, it will make them seem like they're interested in people who are lower-class, as they'd say. To others, it would make them seem like one who takes risks.

Whatever the case is, Tyler liking me would be unexpected and weird, but yet a dream come true.

"I don't know," I muttered. "How would it even be possible for him to have a crush on me?"

Tracey tried to mirror the now pale look on my face, and then let out a chuckle. "Maybe you should figure it out. Schedule a time to hang out with him and see what he does. Observe the way he acts."

"Yeah, I agree," Lizzie added. "Since you two left off with an almost kiss as you said, then he'll definitely leave at least one clue."

"You're right. I'll try to get him to meet me somewhere after school or something," I replied as I rummaged my phone out of the front pocket of my backpack.

"Alright," Tracey said as the bell rang. "We'll talk later. Class will start soon."

"Bye!" I exclaimed as I headed towards a hallway behind us.

I powered on my phone and headed to the message app to text Tyler. The last time I had a conversation through text was yesterday, before the near-kiss incident. It might be awkward to text him right now, especially since I'm walking through a corridor filled with many students, but it's worth it.

Me: Hey, Tyler. Do you want to hang out after school somewhere?

A few moments passed. There was no response. Another few moments passed, and there was still no response. I know I'm being quite impatient right now, but I'm not taking the risk to even take out my phone as soon as I set a foot in chemistry class.

Finally, I got a response from Tyler I've been waiting for. It has been several moments, but it's felt like a whole week.

Tyler: Sure thing. Is there anywhere you want to meet?

Me: Can we hang out at the same park we hung out at Millicent's birthday party?

Tyler: We can. I'll be there about two hours after school is done.

I felt a sense of hope rush up my veins as I turned off my phone and gently placed it back inside my backpack. Tyler is someone who I feel safe around, and I can't wait to hang out with him.

***

I took one last stare at the multiple-colored flowers of the front porch before I headed off to meet Tyler at the park. I don't know what will happen between us, or what to expect.

Lucky for me, I don't feel any jitters about what's about to happen. I feel. . . normal, and a bit relieved. Just like how I'd feel after finishing an exam in school. What I was wearing also contributed to how I feel. The bright yellow hoodie and black leggings I wore made me feel confident. . . and myself, rather than wearing skirts and a bit too much make-up on my face.

I have to admit that it feels good to be me and to be myself instead of impressing two popular girls of the popular clique. Maybe being who I am is a lot better than being someone who isn't. . . me.

I'm glad that Tyler accepts who I am as a friend. I love him dearly for that. He doesn't want anything but friendship—possibly more from me. I'm extremely grateful for that.

Tall trees from many meters ahead of me stood firmly next to a paved path that led to the park. Sunlight from above set shadows on the path as the leaves swayed left and right from the light breeze of the wind.

I crossed the road and made my way through the park in silence. I brushed past a few people who walked their dogs or took a jog through the park. It was a peaceful day, especially since not too many people came to the park on weekdays. The harmony of birds chirping from trees set a smile on my face as I approached the same bench Tyler and I sat on during Millicent's party.

Tyler was already there, looking better than expected. Instead of wearing some type of hoodie and casual jeans, he wore a simple black T-shirt and jeans that probably cost more than twenty dollars. His outfit was simple, yet nice.

He had a red, holographic gift bag next to him. I was curious about what was in the bag, but I couldn't manage to take a small peek to see what was inside because of the tissue paper stashed in the bag.

"Hey, Tyler," I said confidently as I took a seat next to him. "You look really nice."

"Hi, Rose, and thanks. You look nice too, you know," he smiled warmly.

"Thank you," I acknowledged with a chuckle.

"So. . . how are you doing?" He questioned as he clutched his fingers together.

The smile spread across my face couldn't seem to go away, as if it were glued to my lips. I let my faint brunette curls hang over my shoulders as I scooted closer to him.

"I'm doing good."

"That's great," he replied.

Part of me knew that this conversation would be a bit quiet. Unless one of us brought up something for us to talk about, everything will be awkward. Lucky for me, I already know what to talk about. I want to talk about the gift bag next to Tyler, and what is inside.

It's nearly impossible for me to guess what's inside. Anything could be.

"So. . . what's in the gift bag beside you?" I queried as I leaned in to get a closer look at the bag.

"Oh, uh, about that. . ." He answered as he gestured to the bag. "What's in the bag is for you."

"It is?" I asked with interest.

"Yes. I've been needing to give it to you," Tyler uttered as he handed the bag to me. "Here."

I gently accepted the bag from him and took a closer peek of what could possibly be inside. Every ounce of me was filled with excitement to find out what's inside. I took out the sparkly, white tissue paper and placed it on the side of the bench.

After I took all the tissue paper out, I saw two things inside of the bag. It was a red rose and an adorable teddy bear. I flashed a grateful smile to Tyler as I picked up the teddy bear.

It had a heart plushie attached to the front. It wasn't any normal plushie. It had words written on it. I scanned the words a few times, as if the words weren't processing correctly in my brain.

The thing was, they weren't.

Will you go to prom with me was plastered across the plushie in cursive. Those words were words that I never expected to hear this school year, or even in my entire life.

Tyler smiled at me as I looked up to him, my mouth dangled wide open. "Will you. . . go to prom with me?"

"Yes!" I responded without hesitation. "I'll go to prom with you, Tyler."

"That's great to hear," Tyler chuckled. "I can't wait to go with you. I already purchased tickets for us."

"Really? You're too sweet. I could've at least paid for mine," I proclaimed as I looked at the teddy bear once again.

"I know, but anything for you," he remarked, wrapping an arm around my neck.

I smiled at him as I leaned against his chest feeling better than ever. Today, I never expected to get requested to go to prom, especially from Tyler. There is no way that this is happening right now. I pinched my arm to make sure I'm not dreaming. . . and it turns out that I'm not. This is reality. My cheeks flushed light red as I smiled uncontrollably. 

I know that Lizzie and Tracey told me to get at least one clue if he has a crush on me or not, but I've gotten something better. Once they find out, they'll probably start jumping up and down and squeal in high-pitched voices. Their reaction will probably be a lot more chill than mine.

Right now, I feel like doing a happy dance while singing something off-tune excitedly. As much as I want to do that, I'm not going to do that now, and risk embarrassing myself in front of Tyler. That's the last thing I need right now.

At one point, I thought I'd never experience anything exciting, such as going to prom—the biggest event of the school year. I thought that the people who go to events like those actually serve a purpose at school, such as being in the popular clique. But I was wrong. Anything is possible, especially if you have someone who is caring for you by your side.