It started with comfort.
That's how it always starts.
Grace didn't wake up one day and decide she liked Julian.
It happened in pieces.
Like how she started looking for him first when she entered class.
Like how she saved him the inside joke before telling anyone else.
Like how, when something funny happened, her eyes automatically found his.
And this time…
Everyone noticed.
During practice for the competition, Grace was explaining something again.
But this time, when Julian leaned closer to look at her notebook, she didn't shift away.
She didn't even seem to realize how close they were.
Ella stopped mid-sentence.
Zoey raised her eyebrows.
Dylan looked at Ethan.
Ethan smirked.
David coughed to hide a grin.
Nate and Adrian exchanged that same look again.
Theo looked down at the table.
Lucy noticed the way Grace's voice softened when she spoke to Julian.
Zara noticed the way Grace laughed a little longer at his jokes.
It was small.
But it was there.
The real confirmation came on a Thursday afternoon.
They were walking out of school in a loose group.
Dylan and Ethan were ahead, arguing.
Zoey and Ella were whispering behind them.
David was texting.
Lucy and Zara were slightly behind.
Theo walked near Adrian and Nate.
Grace and Julian were in the middle.
Julian said something — something not even that funny.
Grace laughed.
But not her usual laugh.
It was softer.
Warmer.
She nudged his shoulder lightly.
And she didn't pull her hand back immediately.
Julian froze for half a second.
Then smiled.
That smile.
The kind that doesn't reach everyone.
Just one person.
Theo saw it.
Lucy saw it.
Zara saw it.
Everyone saw it.
Except them.
Later at lunch, Grace was quieter.
Not distant.
Just thoughtful.
Julian leaned closer. "You okay?"
She nodded.
"Just tired."
"You didn't sleep?"
She hesitated.
"…Not really."
"Why?"
She shrugged lightly.
And for the first time in weeks, she didn't brush him off.
"I was thinking."
"About?"
She looked at him.
Actually looked at him.
Then looked away quickly.
"Nothing."
But her cheeks were slightly pink.
Ella nearly choked on her juice.
Zoey kicked her under the table to stay quiet.
Dylan mouthed, "Oh my God."
Ethan whispered, "It's mutual."
David nodded slowly. "Finally."
Theo looked away first.
Lucy felt something twist in her chest — not jealousy.
Regret.
Zara leaned back, analyzing.
Because this wasn't one-sided anymore.
This was balance.
That evening, Grace lay on her bed staring at the ceiling.
Her phone buzzed.
Julian:
Did you finish the math homework?
Grace smiled at the screen.
Grace:
Yeah. Want me to send it?
Julian:
Only if you promise not to judge my handwriting tomorrow.
Grace laughed quietly.
Her mom called from the kitchen.
She didn't respond immediately.
Because she was rereading the message.
And smiling.
That's when it hit her.
Not dramatically.
Not like fireworks.
Just a soft realization.
She liked talking to him.
She liked when he noticed things.
She liked how he showed up without being asked.
And for the first time in a long time…
She didn't feel like she was the only one trying.
The next day, when she walked into class, her eyes searched automatically.
Julian looked up at the same time.
They both paused.
Then smiled.
Small.
Private.
Unspoken.
Theo saw it.
And this time, it wasn't confusion.
It was clarity.
Lucy saw it.
And this time, she understood who had been consistent all along.
Zara saw it.
And this time, she realized she wasn't controlling the board anymore.
Because this wasn't manipulation.
This wasn't attention-seeking.
This was simple.
Reciprocal.
Quiet.
And very, very obvious.
To everyone.
Except the two people living it.