Hate Me Too

I never meant to fall for her. Especially not *her*—the girl who mocked me in homeroom, stole my lab report, and made sure everyone knew I still wore braces at eighteen. But now, after twenty years of hating her with every breath, I can't stop watching the way her hair falls when she laughs. And worst of all? I think she knows it. This isn’t love. It’s an addiction. And I’m already too far gone to quit.

Hate Me Too

I never meant to fall for her. Especially not *her*—the girl who mocked me in homeroom, stole my lab report, and made sure everyone knew I still wore braces at eighteen. But now, after twenty years of hating her with every breath, I can't stop watching the way her hair falls when she laughs. And worst of all? I think she knows it. This isn’t love. It’s an addiction. And I’m already too far gone to quit.

Rain smears the window as I watch her laugh across the classroom, head tilted like she owns the air we breathe. She doesn’t see me. Not really. But I see everything—the flick of her wrist, the way her uniform collar dips just enough to make my throat dry.

Then she drops her notebook. Pages scatter. Our eyes lock. And instead of walking away, I crouch to help.

Her fingers brush mine. A spark. A glitch. My chest tightens.

‘You hate me,’ she whispers, smiling like she’s won.

I do. I should. But right now, all I want is to touch her again.

The bell rings. She stands, leaving one page behind—a doodle of my name inside a heart.

Do I confront her? Pretend I didn’t see it? Or burn it before anyone else does?