s e r e n d i p i t y

Ch.1

I glance at my watch to see that it reads 8:15. As usual, she flows through the doors elegantly, her equally stylish best friend by her side. I sigh happily, stuck in a dreamy haze. Let me catch you up. She is Millie Bobby Brown. Popular, friendly, and Hawkins High's most notorious heartbreaker. I, am Finn Wolfhard. Geeky, nerdy, outcast. Me and Millie have been in the same class since the fifth grade, and if it isn't obvious by now, I have the biggest crush on her. She, on the other hand, doesn't feel the same. My friends tell me I should forget her, I have no chance, the usual things you tell someone head over heels. The thing is, it's different with her....maybe one day she'll like me back.
~

"Okay class, we're doing a project. I have already assigned partners."

Mr. Harbour ignores the groans and reads off his list.

"....Mr. Matarazzo, you're with Mr. Schnapp. Mr. McLaughlin, it's you and Miss Sink. Miss Brown, your partner is Mr. Wolfhard, please team up."

My heart pounds in my ears. I hope I don't pass out, no- I better not. I start fidgeting with my hands, suddenly feeling very self conscious. Quickly running my fingers through my thick black hair, I try to act casual.  As Millie walks up, I notice she’s wearing an Adidas hoodie and pink leggings, perfect, as usual.

"..hello? Did you hear me?" She says while waving in my face.

Did you really just zone out?! Idiot.

"I..um, sorry. Can y..you repeat it?"

She rolls her eyes and puts on an easy smile.

"I said 'hey! I'm Millie, nice to be working with you!'"

I laugh awkwardly. I'm pretty sure my face is a dark shade of red - typical.

"W..well, I'm Finn Wolfhard..we've actually been in the same class since fifth grade."

Her eyes grow wide in shock.

"Really? Huh, I'm pretty sure I would've remember."

She shrugs and grabs the assignment paper. I can't help but stare. Her deep amber eyes are focused and flickering around the page while her mouth is drawn in a thin line. How can one girl be so beautiful? I can't look at her without my heart fluttering. Clearing my throat, I decide to speak up.

"S..so, what's the project?"

"We have to make a painting slash mural of what 'love' means to us."

I frown. I, unlike Millie, have never been in love, let alone on a date. If I'm being honest, I haven't even had my first kiss yet. Millie, on the other hand, has dated countless guys, and probably kissed half. Just this month she broke up with John Bant, her boyfriend of two months. I sigh. "Okay, I'm not gonna be very good at this," I confess while avoiding eye contact.

She taps her pencil against her cheek and looks at me curiously.

"What do you mean?"

I mentally groan. How do you explain to your crush that you're basically a loser?

"I've never been on a..heh, erm....date.." I choke out.

Millie starts giggling and clasps her hands together. She then grows serious when she sees my hurt face.

"Oh..I thought you were kidding, I apologize."

I shrug. That stung, but I’m not going to let her know. What if I hurt Millie’s feelings? I couldn't live with myself.

"I have an idea!" She exclaims, her eyes lighting up. "How about you take me on a date?"