> 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.

I couldn't believe it.Or maybe I didn't want to believe it.Maybe it was too good to be true.

I've had a crush on this guy forever since mid school and having him finally notice me and even fall in love with me felt like I was in a dream or living outside of my body,so when my heart did the little flip 🙃 I wasn't surprised.I have always felt it alone in my secret places and watched my toes curl whenever I thought of him.

I slowly looked up at him with trembling lips and said the few words that formed out of my distorted brain;

“so you love me too” I said shakily

    “i have loved you for a long time Allison ” he declared.

When I smiled,he pulled me into a long hug and rested his head on my head kissing my hair.

We were accompanied by hands clapping behind us and it was then I remembered that our friends were around us.I was too busy drooling over Jayden that I forgot to acknowledge their presence.

Just that one moment changed a whole lot of things in my life.

From being a shy nerd in school and the most quiet girl ,I became the hot chick who got to date the popular guy in school who was loved by everyone and not just his teammates.

Oh!😄did I forget to mention,Jayden was the captain in the school's soccer team.

Cool right? Yeah I know what you're thinking.

And honestly,it did change my life a lot and for the better.

I found new passions and made more friends.I realised that life was not all about me and my books.

There's life outside academics and Jayden helped me find mine.