"Us, in Slow Motion"

–Eira’s POV–

I don’t remember the exact day I started liking you.

The way you laughed in class — not loud, but real.

The way, even when you didn’t look at me, I felt seen.

It was in 6th grade, the first time I realised my heart was fluttering for a boy.

Then the world paused.

Pandemic. Two years gone.

Now, we came back in 9th grade - older, different, distant.

I thought the feeling was gone.

How long could a child's attraction towards a boy last, anyways?

But seeing you again singing that song

The one I once mentioned I liked - not to you but to my best friend, in passing.

And you were singing it.

My chest tightened.

I didn’t know you could sing.

And I didn’t know you were listening when I spoke or it's just a coincidence.

“Hey, Earth to Eira!”

My best friend waved a hand in front of my face.

“Did you hear? Ren’s got a sweet voice, right? And he sings your favorite song!”

She laughed. “You’ve got your favorite singer now!”

I forced a smile.

“Yeah… cool.”

But inside, everything was shaking.

Because it wasn’t just about the song.

It was the way my heart remembered you — before my mind even had time to catch up. And all those 2 yrs whenever i had thought of you..i just had shook it off saying it's just an attraction..i couldn't even consider it a “crush”.

After the event ends–

The hall was emptying out, chairs scraping, voices fading.

I zipped my bag slowly, pretending to check for forgotten things, just to stay a little longer.

And then I saw you — standing by the door, guitar case in hand, waiting for your friends to pack their things up.

My breath caught.

Now or never.

I walked over, totally forgetting my best friends were still chatting while waiting for me inside there.

“Ren”, I said. My voice came out softer than I meant.

“You were… really good up there.”

I paused. Then, before I could stop myself:

“I didn’t know you sing too. And… you looked kinda cute up there.”

I said it.

Not with confidence. Not with a smirk.

Just… truth.

You didn’t look at me at first. But your friends sure did.

Mine were also wondering why I was there with you talking.

Then you did — eyes wide, cheeks slightly pink.

“Thanks,” you mumbled. “You also did well with your speech”.

A beat of silence.

Not awkward.

Just… full.

My best friends came from behind, Lumi putting her arm on my shoulder, smiling at both of us.

“Umm.. we should go now”, Aster said, while coming from behind, arranging her backpack.

My friends and I are not a fan of drawing attention but somehow we do draw towards us.

And just like as on our usual behaviour/ whatever attitude you say..we left from there.

But I still got the feeling the boys talked about me suddenly appearing there and complimenting him.

—Ren’s POV–

It got me, when our class topper, Eira, suddenly came in to talk.

It's not like we had never talked, I don't remember quite but we used to talk when we were in lower grade but now we would just talk a little as classmates.

And when she said I looked cute I just couldn't help but get shy.

–Pov ends–

[“This is my first story, and I hope I am making it readable.. it's kinda my school life story..i don't remember that much of the event happened at that time but with the memories I do have of those moments..i would like to recreate it with my story”.]

[Hope you all will like it.]

Please let me know if you like it. Then only I will have the confidence to write the second chapter :)