> It started with a dare—one that was supposed to last five seconds.

“Kiss him,” Nia whispered, grinning.

Jayden was leaning against the rooftop rail, eyes sparkling like he already knew I wouldn’t back down.

And I didn’t.

I stepped forward, my heart thudding so loud I was sure he could hear it. He didn’t move. Didn’t laugh. Just watched.

“You’re not gonna do it,” he said, softly.

So I did.

The world slowed. The rooftop party, the music, the yelling—it all faded behind that kiss. It was warm, real, way too gentle for a dare. And just when I thought he’d pull away…

He leaned in again.

“That wasn’t a dare, Allison,” he whispered. “That was me, finally catching up to how I feel.”

The moon saw it all.

And so did my heart.

And so it did register in my mind.

My stomach did a little flip 🙃 and I knew I was done for.

I thought my legs were going to give up on me with how much I was trembling but Jayden's hold on me was firm and steady.

I couldn't believe it.Or maybe I didn't want to believe it.

I've had a crush on this guy since middle school and the fact that I just kissed him now wasn't enough to make me believe that I was actually standing toe to toe with him and breathing the same air as he was.

I looked up at him with unsteady eyes and said the few words that formed in my mouth;

“so you love me?”

"I have loved you forever Allison”

His voice was soft and reassuring.I couldn't handle the honest confession.God knows how I imagined this day in my head and it was finally happening.

He pulled me in for a tight hug and rested his chin on my head and planted a kiss on the top of my hair.

The action was followed by hands clapping around us and it registered to me then that we had company this whole time but I was too occupied to remember.

I buried my head further into his chest and smiled beneath.He tightened his hold on me and laughed the sweetest sound I've ever heard.

Jayden was in love with me 😍 🤭

Who would have seen this coming?

From being a nerd in school and having a circle of friends that consists of only 3 people to kissing the most popular guy in school.

That one moment alone changed my whole life completely.The entire school heard that we were dating and I started getting random heys and nods in the hallway and even at the football pitch where I was usually absent but now regularly present because heyyy did I forget to mention??? Jayden was the captain of the school's football team.

It was like I went from being absolutely nobody to being a celebrity in one just swift tingle of an eye.

It still feels a little bit surreal to this day.