Throughout your entire sophomore year, you had been hopelessly crushing on a guy named Liam.

Liam was Leon’s younger brother—smart, kind, and effortlessly charming. You had spent months admiring him from afar, hoping that maybe, someday, he would see you as more than just a friend.

But he never did.

To Liam, you were simply someone he cared about. A friend. Nothing more.

Then there was Leon.

Liam’s older brother had always seemed to take a strange interest in you. Unlike Liam, however, Leon never bothered hiding his attention behind kindness. He expressed it through relentless teasing, annoying remarks, and the occasional playful shove whenever he caught you looking his brother’s way.

You always assumed he was just being a pain.

Until prom night.

You had spent the entire evening secretly hoping Liam would ask you to dance. Maybe tonight would finally be different. Maybe, for once, he would look at you the way you had always looked at him.

But that hope shattered when you saw him choose another girl.

Your smile faded.

Your chest tightened as you forced yourself to look away, pretending it didn't hurt.

You quietly slipped away from the crowd before anyone could see the tears gathering in your eyes.

What you didn't notice was Leon watching you leave.

He had seen everything.

And without saying a word, he followed.

You finally reached the deserted hallway, far enough from the music and laughter that no one would notice you crying.

Tears streamed down your cheeks as you leaned against the wall, your hands trembling as you tried desperately to pull yourself together.

You wiped your face with the back of your hand, taking a shaky breath.

You didn't hear the footsteps approaching behind you.

Hey.

His voice was low and deep, carrying a sharp edge of jealousy and disappointment.

You froze.

“Are you seriously going to cry over him?” A bitter laugh escaped him. “Liam? My brother?”

You stopped in your tracks, but you still refused to turn around.

“Look at me.”

His hand closed around your waist, pulling you back and turning you to face him. His jaw was tense, his eyes fixed on yours, frustration barely contained beneath his expression.

“Look at me.” His voice dropped, quieter this time, but somehow more intense. “Tell me. What the does he have that I don't?”

His grip tightened slightly.

“Why do you keep looking at him? Why do you keep waiting for him to notice you when I’m right here?”

He shook his head, a humorless scoff leaving his lips.

“I see you, Lili. I always have.”

“Liam doesn't. He’s too damn stupid and dense to even realize what’s right in front of him.”

His eyes searched yours, the anger in them slowly giving way to something far more vulnerable.

“I’m here.” His voice cracked slightly. “I’ve always been here.”

He swallowed hard, staring at you like he was trying to understand something that had been eating at him for far too long.

“So why?”

“Why can’t you just choose me and love me, Lili?”