Unspoken Affection

Lia's P.O.V

Before I met him, we were complete strangers at the review center. We sat close to each other, yet it felt like we were miles apart. I never thought I'd fall in love again, but that all changed the moment Jake was called up to sing in front of everyone. That's when it truly began. From then on, I started to notice him more and more. There were moments when I'd secretly glance around, searching for him, hoping to spot where he was sitting and catch a glimpse.

From that point forward, I never expected to feel the way I do about him. He's everything I've always admired—smart, kind, and the kind of person who can put you at ease with just a smile. I don't know when it happened exactly, at first, I convinced myself it was just a harmless crush. He's always been so nice, and I thought maybe I was reading too much into it. But then, there were moments when he'd look at me and I couldn't help but wonder if he felt something, too. Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but it's been a long time since I've felt this way about anyone.

Still, there's this nagging feeling in the back of my mind, telling me something's off. Mia and Hannah have noticed it, too. Mia keeps reminding me to be cautious, to not let myself fall too quickly, but it's hard when Jake is just so... Jake.

But there's also this air of mystery about him. He never talks about anything personal, especially relationships. What if he's already with someone? What if all of this—the smiles, the laughter—is just his way of being friendly? I'm stuck in this confusing place, unsure of what's real and what's only in my head.

I guess I'll just have to wait and see. But waiting is the hardest part. Every day that passes, I feel myself getting more attached, and the fear of being wrong about everything terrifies me.

"Are you going to stare at him the whole time, or are you still with me?" Mia asked, snapping her fingers in front of my face.

"Huh, what? I wasn't staring at him," I replied, stuttering slightly.

"Sure you weren't," Mia said sarcastically. "Anyway, are we still up for a group study at my house?"

"Yeah, I'm in. I'll just ask my parents for permission so they don't worry," Hannah chimed in.

"Me too, I'm definitely down," I added, a little too enthusiastically, as I snuck another quick glance at Jake.

Mia rolled her eyes and smirked. "Uh-huh, you're definitely "not" distracted."

Hannah giggled softly, shaking her head. "You're not exactly subtle, Lia. But hey, who am I to judge?"

I felt my cheeks heat up as I shifted uncomfortably. "Okay, fine, maybe I was looking... a little," I admitted, trying to play it off.

Mia crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "A little? Girl, you've been stealing glances at him all day. If you stare any harder, you'll burn a hole through him."

I sighed, knowing there was no point in denying it. "He just... I don't know. There's something about him."

"Yeah, we noticed," Hannah said with a teasing smile. "Just be careful, okay? You never know what's going on with someone."

Mia nodded in agreement. "Exactly. He seems nice and all, but don't get your hopes up too high without knowing the full story."

"I know, I know," I said, trying to brush it off. "It's not like I'm planning anything. I just... I'd like to get to know him better because he seems fun to be around, you know?"

Mia gave me a look. "Well, just make sure you're still around "us" for that study session later. We can't have you daydreaming through it."