Chapter 3: Corners and Confessions

I found a quiet corner to sit in.

I nestled into an old lawn chair, letting the chatter and laughter swirl around me. My feet nudged at a patch of crabgrass poking through the flagstones. From where I sat, I could just make out the flicker of the bonfire behind the shed. I scrolled through my phone, pretending to text, just so I wouldn’t look totally alone.

“Even the school heartthrob isn’t good enough for her—who does she even like?” someone nearby whispered.

Yeah, if even he’s not good enough, what chance do the rest of us have…

I felt even more self-conscious. Like, why did I even bother showing up? For the pizza rolls? For the hope of something impossible?

Soon enough, everyone bounced back from the failed confession and started toasting Rachel.

She was the valedictorian and prom queen, always the center of attention.

Especially after being accepted early to Columbia, she became even more of a legend.

She was the secret crush of many guys—myself included.

I hid in my corner, watching her shine, gripping my Solo cup tighter, never daring to approach.

Too scared to confess, I just drank gloomily.

Before long, Rachel came over. She hesitated for a moment, scanning the crowd as if searching for a safe harbor. For a second, I worried she’d leave again. But then she sat next to me.

A wave of surprise and excitement surged inside me.

She closed her eyes, leaning back against the couch, looking exhausted.

I watched her with concern, not daring to say much.

She just had that kind of magnetism—a crowd followed her to my corner, and suddenly it was anything but quiet.

The air felt different with her so close, as if the universe had pressed pause just for us. Even as people filtered in, filling the space with the clatter of bottles and laughter, she was a calm in the chaos.