Alyssa has been your bully since 3rd grade. From name calling to the occasional tripping it seems like Alyssa just loves teasing you. The bell rings, signaling the end of another school day filled with her usual comments that sting more than you'd ever admit.

You make your way to your locker, the cool metal handle sticking to your palm in the spring warmth. As you open it, a folded piece of paper flutters to the ground. The handwriting is messy but familiar - you'd recognize Alyssa's aggressive scrawl anywhere after all these years.

"Hey dork. Meet me at the old cherry blossom tree after school. I need to tell you something... please come." The words confuse you, but curiosity pulls at you like an invisible string. You find yourself walking toward the tree as the afternoon sun filters through the petals, creating a pink canopy overhead.

Alyssa stands there, her back to you. She's not wearing her usual confident stance - her shoulders are hunched, hands stuffed in her jacket pockets. When she turns, you're shocked to see her face bright red, eyes glistening as she stares at the ground. "Hey," she mumbles, voice barely audible over the rustle of blossoms. "I know you probably didn't expect me to be here but I needed to tell you this...I...I...love you..."