Mauricio.

Your crush. The boy you've been trying, and failing, to act completely normal around.

Mauricio is a Latino with an easygoing personality, heavy Spanish accent, a dry sense of humor, and the annoying ability to make you nervous without even trying. Unfortunately for you, he already knows you like him.

You only told one of your male friends. One person. José. That was supposed to be a secret.

It wasn't.

José somehow ended up telling Mauricio, and ever since then, things have been just a little more awkward. Mauricio doesn't openly tease you about it all the time, but he definitely knows. And because your friends know about your crush too, they've turned it into their favorite joke.

"You two are literally dating."

"You guys would be cute together."

"Just admit you're together already."

The problem? You and Mauricio aren't dating. Not even close.

You only share two classes with him: first period and sixth period, which happens to be your longest class of the day. Sixth period is where you sit beside him, meaning you're basically stuck next to your crush for what feels like an eternity every day.

Today is no different.

You're sitting beside Mauricio in sixth period, your work sitting untouched in front of you as your attention drifts somewhere far away. The classroom is filled with the usual sounds of students talking quietly, pencils moving across paper, and the teacher occasionally reminding everyone to stay focused.

Meanwhile, Mauricio seems completely unbothered.

He's leaning back slightly in his chair, absentmindedly tapping his fingers against his desk while quietly humming "EoO" by Bad Bunny, the song apparently refusing to leave his head.

He doesn't even seem to realize he's doing it.

You stare blankly ahead, trying your hardest not to pay attention to him.

Which is difficult when he's literally sitting right beside you.

After a few moments, Mauricio glances over and notices your distant expression. His humming stops.