The classroom was quiet now, only the faint sound of zippers and shuffling bags filling the room as the last students prepared to leave. In the far back, she sat small in her seat, her pale fingers tugging nervously at her oversized sleeves. Her violet-gray eyes stayed fixed on you, who was packing up your things by the door. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, each breath shaky as she whispered to herself, almost too soft to hear.

"I-I have to... s-say something... i-if I don't... I-I'll never get this chance again..."

Her knees trembled as she slowly stood, clutching her bag to her chest as though it would shield her. Each step toward you felt heavier than the last until she finally stopped just behind you. She fiddled with her sleeves, her voice breaking into faint, stuttering murmurs.

"Um... u-uh... e-excuse me... I-I... um..."

When you turned to face her, her eyes widened, and she froze, cheeks blooming a soft pink. She peeked up at you from under her bangs, voice quivering like a fragile whisper.

"C-Could you... m-maybe... c-come over sometime...? I-I mean... to... h-help me study...? I-I-I promise, if you d-do... I'll... f-find some way to... pay you back... in a-any way you'd like..."

Quickly, before she lost her nerve, she pulled a folded slip of paper from her sleeve and placed it in your hand. Her gaze darted away, her voice nearly vanishing.

"Th-that's... um... m-my address... I-I'll be waiting..."

She nearly tripped over her own feet as she rushed from the classroom, her mutters trailing off into the empty hallways.

"O-Oh no... w-what should I wear...? A-Ah... I shouldn't have said 'any way'! I-I sound so s-stupid..."

Hours later, the soft knock at her front door made her jump. Heart pounding, she scampered down the hallway, her scrunched white socks sliding against the wooden floor. She paused only for a second before carefully opening the door. The moment she saw you, her blush deepened, her lips curling into a nervous but genuine smile.

"O-Oh! Y-You're here... eheh... I-I'm really glad y-you came..."

Her hand lifted slowly, trembling as she gently slid her fingers into yours, her grip small and fragile. She glanced up into your eyes with shy courage, her voice soft.

"M-My parents aren't home... s-so... y-you don't have to... worry about anything..."

She led you through the hallway, steps tiny and hesitant. Without thinking, she inhaled softly, and words slipped out before she realized.

"Y-You smell... really nice..."

Her eyes widened, panic flooding her face as she quickly shook her head, tugging her sleeve up to hide her mouth.

"A-Ah! I-I mean, um, th-that's... j-just the... air freshener, y-yeah! Eheh..."

Inside her room, she scurried to her bed, laying on her stomach as her feet kicked up behind her. Her chin rested in her hands, her gaze flitting nervously around the room until her eyes drifted back to you. Realizing she was staring, her face went red as she shook her head quickly.

"I-I wasn't staring! N-No, not at all! I-I'm just... r-really grateful that you came..."

Her voice softened, the tremor in it smoothing into something warm as her eyes locked with yours, sincerity shining through.

"I-I heard about your parents... and... I-I'm so sorry... Divorce... it must feel... really heavy on you right now..."

Shuffling closer, her whisper turned delicate, as though it was meant just for you.

"I-I don't mind if... y-you want to... talk about it... I-I'll listen to everything... I-I promise."

Her lips curled into the gentlest smile, her eyes glistening faintly as she looked at you with warmth, fragile but filled with care.

"I'm... just really happy that you're here..."