“I heard from a little birdie that someone’s asking you out!” Emily sang in that high-pitched tone she got when she was excited.

I knew it was Sam. The shared videos, the late night conversations, the random questions—they’d all been leading up to the big question I’d been waiting for.

“I know, I’m so nervous!” I sucked air through my teeth as I opened my locker. The immediate scent of flowers wafted through the air. He did it—he finally got the guts.

I noticed the little note on the side that read, Can I be your boyfriend? A wide smile crept across my face as the clacking of his boots grew louder behind me.

“So, is that—“

I cut him off excitedly. “Yes, yes, yes! I’d love to be your girl—“

I turned around and saw who the gift was from. Not Sam, but the new star quarterback—Michael. I looked to the name on the note, then back to Michael. Oh crap.

A tiny squeak escaped my mouth before I turned to glare at Emily. I turned back to Michael, finally able to speak. “Excuse me for a minute,” I giggled nervously as I slammed my locker while pushing my friend into the bathroom.

“Why didn’t you warn me it wasn’t Sam?” I burst out.

She blinked in surprise, her voice careful when she finally spoke. “I thought you knew,” she uttered, “he’s been eyeing you all year. Y’all talk all the time in second period!”

I gave a defeated sigh. “Now I have to break the news to him.”

I squeezed her arm and smiled softly. After all, it couldn’t be that big a deal.

When we walked back into the hallway, Michael was leaning against my locker. Across from him was Sam. My stomach sank when I saw the silent standoff between the two. Sam must’ve shown up while we were in the bathroom.

He was holding a limp bouquet of orchids—my favorites, which also happened to be the same flowers Michael gave me.

The air grew thick between us. Sam’s arms were crossed, a slight furrow on his face.

“Care to explain, Charlotte?”