Mei sat at the back of the classroom, doodling absentmindedly in her notebook. Stella’s laugh echoed through the room, a melody Mei couldn’t ignore. Stella was everything Mei wasn’t—confident, outgoing, and effortlessly radiant. They’d been best friends since Year 7, but lately, Mei’s feelings had shifted into something she didn’t fully understand.
One afternoon, as they studied in Stella’s backyard, the air grew still. Mei tried to focus on her textbook, but her gaze kept wandering to Stella, who was sprawled across the grass, sunlight dancing on her skin.
“You’ve been weird lately,” Stella said, catching her off guard.
“I’m just stressed,” Mei lied.
Stella rolled onto her side, propping her head up. “About school or something else?”
Mei hesitated. She wanted to tell Stella everything, but the weight of her family’s expectations and her own fears silenced her.
“Nothing,” she whispered.
But Stella didn’t buy it. “Mei, you can tell me anything. You know that, right?”
Looking into Stella’s kind eyes, Mei felt a surge of courage. “I think I like someone,” she admitted.
Stella grinned. “Who’s the lucky person?”
Mei’s heart pounded. “You,” she said softly.
For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then Stella smiled. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
Mei’s fears melted away as they sat together under the sun, knowing their friendship had grown into something much more.
