Paradise

It's been years since I first saw him walk into our classroom.
I was just a kid, but somehow... I already knew what I wanted.

I wanted him.

My friends warned me not to get close.
They said he was like fire-dangerous, untouchable.
One look, one step too near, and you'd get burned.

He always sat at the back of the room, his eyes deep, his brows furrowed.
And yet, somehow... I fell.

I fell for someone I never spoke to.
Someone who never looked at me.
Someone I could never even come close to.

It was always me chasing glances between us-
and still, that was enough.
Because honestly, I wouldn't know what to do
if he ever looked back.
I might just lose my mind.

But even if the world stayed away from him-
I wanted him. I wanted him so badly.

Maybe this fire they feared... I could hold it.

Maybe I could come closer to you, Atlas.

If only I could burn this shame away...
Maybe then-I could finally reach you.