Someone Special

It only takes me a few moments to grab my books from my locker. I slam it shut, then turn—only to crash right into someone. “Watch where you’re—” Then I realize who it is. Tim. Walters. My stomach flutters. “Oh. Sorry,” I mutter, trying to stay relaxed.
“No, it’s completely my fault,” he responds. “I should’ve been paying more attention.”
“Nah, it’s fine.”
He’s in shorts and a sleeveless shirt. Must have just come from practice. His hair looks a little messy and his forehead glistens with sweat. I realize I’ve been staring and look away, doing my best not to blush. “Sorry. Uh, you look tired.” Did I seriously just say that?
“Yeah, I just got out of practice. Coach made us run extra today ’cuz we had too many turnovers in our last game.” He shakes his head slightly.
“But didn’t you guys crush the other team?” The words escape from my mouth before it dawns on me that we’re having a casual, normal conversation.
“Fifty-six to twenty-seven.” He rolls his eyes. “But I guess there’s always room for improvement, so . . .”
“Yeah, I guess. Well, I hope the next game goes better—or at least less turnovers?”
“That’d be nice. I hope we don’t have to run like that again. Eh. Well, I better get—”
“Yeah, I have to go too.” I groan internally at how I interrupted him.
“See ya in class, Sage.”
“See ya.” So, he does know my name. I walk towards the school exit, floating on cloud nine.
Tim may think I’m a little weird, but at least he actually knows who I am. I wonder what his sister has told him about me, though. . . probably some nonsense to keep him in line. What am I even doing thinking about this? It’s not as if I would end up with someone like him. On a scale from one to ten, he’s a solid nine. What am I? Maybe a seven, on a good day.
Ugh! I continue to argue with myself the whole way home.
As soon as I get to school the next morning, I’m on the lookout for Tim. I try to rationalize with myself, but it does no good, and pretending I don’t care is pointless. We don’t have class together until second hour, but I’m anxious to see if he treats me any different after yesterday. I guess paying attention to me at all would be a step up. Have I sunk so low to really be thinking about this?
Choir is my first class, which makes no sense whatsoever considering they want us to sing at eight a.m. Warming up helps some, but still everyone is groggy and our voices are scratchy this early in the morning. I’m in Advanced Women’s Chorus. Other choir options are available, but I think this one is the best. Our voices, once fully awake, blend so well together and everyone had to audition to get in, so I’d like to believe we all deserve to be here . . .
When class ends, I make myself walk out slowly, like it’s just a normal day, because isn’t it? Yesterday replays itself in my head. To Tim, it was nothing more than a conversation with some girl in the hall. But to me? Honestly, it gave me hope. Maybe I’m not invisible. Maybe.
I walk into my English class, but Tim isn’t here yet. I tell myself to calm down and take deep breaths. Our teacher, Mrs. Cliff, is writing the assignment on the board. We’re supposed to write an essay about a literary novel that satirizes either a specific character or a society in general, in order to present a theme. While I’m trying to decide between writing about 1984 or The Importance of Being Earnest, Tim walks into class. It looks like he’s out of breath.
He comes to my desk and instead of passing by, stops right in front of me. What in the world? I look up at him, trying to play it cool.
“You dropped this yesterday.” He hands me the paper I lost.
I take it. “How’d you know it was mine?”
“Oh. Well, I opened it to make sure.” He looks momentarily uncomfortable but then shrugs. “It looked important, but I think it’s just some letter. Sorry I read it.” He goes to his desk and sits down.
How could it seem important enough to give back to me, but not be? It looks like nothing more than a folded piece of paper to me.
Curious, I unfold it. At the top is my name. It says:
Sage,
I know you don’t hear it enough, but I think you’re a neat girl. You’re much smarter and more unique than you know. You also have a beautiful smile.
Sincerely,
Someone Special
That is so not what I expected it would be. When I look up, I see Tim watching my reaction. I shrug and stand up to go toss the note into the recycle bin. It was probably just one of my friends trying to cheer me up. Either way, it’s no big deal, so I’m not going to let it get in my head.
Tim looks surprised by my action, but doesn’t say anything.
Then as I’m getting ready to head from my locker to government class, I hear, “So you don’t even care about it?” It takes me a moment to realize the question is for me.
Tim is standing there.
“Why should I?” I ask.
“No reason, except that it looks like you might have yourself a secret admirer.” He smiles slyly.