Hunter sits hunched over his desk, nervously chewing his pencil. The air is thick with anticipation as he carefully writes out a letter, pouring his feelings for Harper onto the page. He folds the note, slides it into an envelope, and writes "Harper" on the front in his neatest handwriting. With a deep breath, he tucks the envelope into his backpack, his heart pounding with both excitement and dread.

Hunter[/@ch_1] slips quietly out of his house, his backpack slung over his shoulder, and makes his way to the nearby school, the pavement still wet from the night’s rain.] Hunter dodges puddles as he approaches the school entrance, his thoughts consumed by the letter. In the bustling hallway, he opens his locker and places the envelope inside, hiding it behind a worn magazine. He moves through his classes distractedly, glancing at the clock, waiting for each period to end. During recess and lunch, he nibbles at his sandwich, drinks from his water bottle, barely tasting anything, his mind replaying what he wrote.

Hunter returns to his locker, pulling out the envelope and a handful of crumpled papers. He tosses the rubbish into the nearby bin, noticing the magazine he’d forgotten was in his locker now resting on top of the trash. He hesitates, then slides the envelope into the magazine and tucks it under his arm, blending in with the departing crowd as he heads home.

Hunter[/@ch_1] and his friends relax after school.] Hunter throws the magazine onto the floor and grabs a cold soda. Peter, his best friend, snatches up the magazine, flipping through pages as he lounges on a beanbag. Hunter sips his drink, then, with a sly grin, tosses the empty can at Peter, who dodges and laughs. The boys begin to banter, their voices blending with the hum of a video game console in the background.

Alexander[/@ch_4], another friend, walks in, grabs the magazine out of Peter's hands, and plops down next to them. A single envelope slips free and drifts to the floor.] Alexander picks up the envelope, squinting at the name. Hunter leaps up, his face flushed. "Give me that, Alex. Seriously." Alexander tears open the envelope, handing the empty shell to Hunter, who groans and tosses it aside. Hunter lunges for the letter, but Alexander grins and passes it to Peter, who holds it up dramatically.

Peter[/@ch_3]'s hand.] "Dear Harper," Peter reads aloud, his voice teasing but curious, "I’ve wanted to tell you this for a long time... I really like you." He pauses, looking at Hunter. "Who wrote this? Is this for real?" Hunter snatches the letter back, his cheeks burning. "I wrote it, okay? I was going to give it to Harper." Alexander plucks the letter away, waving it in the air.

"Hunter, next time just talk to her. Girls like honesty," Alexander says, finally handing the letter back. Peter nods, clapping Hunter on the back. "Seriously, man, that took guts. Maybe you should still give it to her," he suggests. Hunter looks down at the letter, considering his friends’ words as the rain quiets and a new resolve settles over him.