Amelia sighed, knowing that it was true. He always looked out for her and it was only she who harbored a long-time crush on him. He never reciprocated her feelings and treated her as a kid, which only angered her further.

He was very caring and protective of her before when she used to tag along with Caleb and him. He insisted she called her “Jay”, and he even helped her with her homework, but it all changed on her thirteenth birthday. Tristan became aloof and rude, ignoring her like she didn’t exist, and avoided talking to her. She didn’t know what went wrong, although she had a secret crush on him. Still, she gave him his space and avoided him. He started his playboy ways, dating girls randomly, and changing girlfriends every week, much to her disappointment. It broke her heart and finally; she gave up all hopes. She thought of moving on from him, concentrating more on her studies instead.

Amelia knew he would never look her way. He was way beyond her league, and Caleb would kill her if she voiced her feelings. She became a recluse, with only Nicky being her best friend and her studies to fall back on. Life had been easier that way and she had almost started coming to terms with her situation when Tristan started bothering her. “So, did lover boy send his love?” Tristan asked, gesturing towards the envelope that she hid in her backpack. It was enough to bring her out of her reverie, and her eyes popped out. How did he know about the letter?

“I have my ways, baby doll,” he whispered in her ear, his lips lightly skimming her soft skin, sending a shiver down her spine. Wait, did she say that aloud? How did he read her mind? It sure was creepy. She pushed him away to leave for her English creative writing class, but he caught her wrist.

“Won’t you read it?” he asked with a smirk.

“It’s none of your business,” she snapped, trying to free her hand from his grip.

He chuckled and suddenly left her, and she ran to her class, seething in anger. What did he think of himself? Arrogant jerk!

After ignoring her for three years, on her sixteenth birthday, Tristan started flirting with her and disturbing her. Strangely, this had been going on for the last six months and she was clueless about it!

She walked into Mrs. Wiggins’ English class and sat in the front seat, her usual place, ready to submit her homework. Nicky rushed in at the last minute and sat down beside her.

“Sorry, I’m late. Mom’s gone for an emergency delivery and I forgot to set my alarm,” she said, breathless from running. “Did you finish the homework?” “Yeah, and you?” Amelia asked curiously. She was a grade-A student and always completed her assignments on time, unlike Nicky, who had many friends to hang out with. Her life wasn’t a sob story like Amelia’s. Her mom was a gynecologist and hardly had time to stay at home, and Nicky took advantage of her situation.

“Yeah, somehow, thanks to Google,” Nicky stated with a giggle, but Amelia didn’t ask her what she was up to this time. She felt jealous of her friend and wished her life would be the same as hers.

Mrs. Wiggins walked in and asked for the homework. After submitting, everyone settled down for the English Creative Writing class. Although physically present in the class, Amelia’s mind was far away, as all she could think of was the anonymous love letter lying in her backpack.

Amelia spent the entire morning rushing from class to class and the library in between. She did not get time to open her letter and read it, although she wanted to. By lunchtime, when Nicky had to visit the administrative office, Amelia rushed to the cafeteria to read her letter in peace. The last practice for the upcoming inter-school basketball match caused the whole cafeteria to be deserted. There were only a few students scattered here and there.

She took her chicken sandwich and orange juice and sat in a corner. Opening her backpack, she took out the envelope containing the letter. Of course, she knew what it contained. It was the same every time but with a different soul-stirring write-up. Smiling at the pale blue paper sprayed with a citrus and woody cologne, Amelia smelled it and read,

My Amelia,

The eyes reflect one’s soul. I love it when our eyes meet, even if it’s only for a second because it allows me to look into your soul. So pure, so innocent, so beautiful.

I love your eyes. I love your soul. Waiting for the next time you look into my eyes. Hopefully, you can see my soul, my love for you, shining within.

Your Anonymous Love.

Amelia closed her eyes, and a goofy smile lit up her face, thinking about who this anonymous person might be. She could not come up with anything, but a strange sense of being watched made the hair at the nape stand up. She opened her eyes, only to find Tristan sitting two tables away, facing her, staring at her intensely with an expression she couldn’t decipher. 

Feeling her eyes on him, his expression quickly changed to the usual teasing one, and he winked at her, with his signature smirk pasted on his lips. Amelia panicked and quickly kept the letter inside her backpack. She wondered just how much he had seen and blushed profusely even thinking about it. It was way too embarrassing, and there was only one way to deal with him. 

She ignored him and started eating her lunch, but could feel his gaze upon her all the time. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw him chuckling as he raised an eyebrow at her knowingly. She looked away, embarrassed at being caught checking him out. How embarrassing could it get?