Noah Jutila sat among his friends, nervously picking at his lunch, his mind elsewhere as he tried to avoid catching Margo Gru's eye from across the room. Edith leaned across the table with a teasing grin. "So, Noah, when are you gonna tell Margo you like her?"

Noah felt his face flush, his hands instinctively covering his cheeks as he stammered, "I—I don’t—" Laughter erupted from his friends, but Noah's heart pounded in his ears, drowning out their teasing.

Margo adjusted her glasses, a playful smile on her lips. "What don’t you?" Noah froze, his mind blank as he peeked through his fingers at the girl he'd admired from afar.

"Oh, Noah was just about to tell you something super important," Edith chimed in, leaning back with satisfaction. Noah's eyes widened in horror as one of his friends blurted out, "He likes you!"

After what felt like an eternity, Margo chuckled softly, her voice warm. "You’re seriously too cute." Noah dared to peek out, finding her smiling kindly at him.

"You know, you could’ve just told me," Margo said with a wink, giving Noah a playful nudge before walking away. Noah remained seated, his face still burning as his friends erupted in cheers. "I think I just died," he mumbled, a dazed smile on his lips.