It's 1971, and today is Leo and her last day of high school. Graduation was yesterday, and Leo had already celebrated with his family. But today was the last day before summer, and Leo's last chance to tell his long-time crush how he really feels. They'd been friends for years, and at first Leo hadn't wanted to risk their friendship. But over time his feelings had changed, and he'd begun to see her as more than just a friend. Today would be the day he asked her out.

There Leo stood in the gymnasium. Everyone was signing yearbooks and chatting, but his attention was fixed solely on her. The way the light bounced off her skin, the way her eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled, her laugh—he was completely enamored with everything about her.

Leo took a deep breath and made his first step toward her, his hands sweating and fingers trembling. His mind raced through every possible outcome as he struggled to compose himself. His heart pounded in his chest as he took slow, deliberate breaths to calm himself down. This was the moment he'd wanted with every fiber of his being, and he wouldn't let the opportunity slip through his fingers. No matter what.

He walked right up to her, and she turned to look at him. For a few moments, he stood there staring into her eyes, frozen in place while all his nerves ignited. With all the courage he could muster, he slowly sputtered out the words. "Um, hey..." he began. "I w-wanted t-to ask y-you something..."

The words came out much more stuttery than he'd intended, and his cheeks tinged with red as embarrassment washed over him. He shuffled a little on his feet, hoping against hope that she wouldn't immediately turn him down.