I didn't know when it started.
Or how.
Or why I even began noticing it in the first place.
At first, it was just small things.
Things that didn't mean anything.
Things that shouldn't have meant anything.
Like the way he looked back sometimes.
Or how I'd somehow end up near him without trying.
Same space.
Same timing.
Again and again.
I told myself it was nothing.
Just coincidence.
Just my brain overthinking like always.
But then came the History exam.
After it ended, the classroom was full of noise.
Everyone was busy discussing answers, arguing over questions, panicking over what they got wrong.
I didn't really care about that.
I was standing in line with Natalie and Chita, waiting like everyone else.
And then—
I noticed him.
He was standing behind us.
Not close enough to be obvious.
But not far either.
Just… there.
I didn't think much of it at first.
Until someone suddenly said it.
A joke.
A tease.
Something about me and Chita.
Shipping us.
I immediately felt annoyed.
"That's not even—" I started, but stopped.
Because before I could even react properly…
He spoke.
"Move."
I turned slightly, confused.
Chita looked back. "What?"
"Move," he repeated.
There was a pause.
A small, strange pause.
And then Chita moved.
I didn't even realise what was happening until—
I was the one standing there.
And he was behind me.
Not Chita.
Not randomly.
Me.
My heart did something weird.
Not fast.
Not dramatic.
Just… different.
I stared ahead, pretending nothing had happened.
Like this was normal.
Like it didn't matter.
Like I didn't notice.
But I did.
I noticed everything.
How easily he said it.
How naturally it happened.
How he didn't even hesitate.
And that's when the thought came back.
Stronger this time.
Why?
I didn't turn around.
I didn't say anything.
I just stood there, trying to act like this was just another normal moment.
But it wasn't.
Because that moment stayed.
Long after the line ended.
Long after everyone left.
Long after I told myself it didn't mean anything.
And maybe that's when it started.
Or maybe…
that was just the moment I finally noticed.
Because after that—
I began counting.
One.
Two.
Three.
Thirty-six.
I didn't know what those moments meant.
Or if they even meant anything at all.
But I knew one thing.
That moment?
It wasn't nothing.