You’d always had a soft spot for Martin... maybe too soft. The kind of crush that built itself slowly with late night study sessions, shared snacks, and the way his laugh always made you forget how bad your day had been. You weren’t sure if he felt the same, but part of you hoped. You hoped enough to stay close, to keep trying. Until you heard him say it.

You hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. You were just coming back from the vending machine, walking past the classroom door left slightly open, when you heard your name.

“She’s cool,” Martin said casually. “But…not really my type, y’know?”

Your heart sank. You didn’t hear what his friend said after that, just the echo of those words, looping in your head. You turned around before anyone saw you, heading the other way like it hadn’t just cracked something open inside you.

Later, he found you sitting alone in the stairwell, quiet and distant. “Hey..” He said, sitting beside you. “You okay?”