Abigail - Love, Family and Friendship

econd

r D

ly how I feel-you already know how confused I am. And now, a

eel anymore. Excited? Flattere

placed in this kind of position. What if it's not someone I like? What if it's someone

enough. Or maybe I won't. Life lo

bi

r her pillow, as if hiding her thoughts would make them less real. Tomorrow was supposed to be a celebra

anticipation and dread. Part of her wanted to find another n

wasn't in

landed on the folded paper nestled against her

her

he unfolded it. The handwriting was unmistakable-elegant, deliberat

your day, benea

e gift the wo

brave, ye

hin, both qu

u shine, as

or them-for th

I may rem

tion is y

ery

nting even. But it also felt... invasive. Whoever this "Mystery Lover" was,

ingering on the paper. For a moment, she let herself imagine it was Ethan w

r was, they weren't

kne

thoughts racing. She couldn't shake the idea that Jane might be behind this. It would

playing a soft melody. She looked up and grin

Instead, she dropped her bag on

's with the face? Did I forget something? Oh no

t of her pocket and held i

ly confused. "Um...

d, her voice sharper than she

il's hand. As her eyes skimmed the words, her confusio

ulled a prank on me. And who else would know about my Favorite colour or ho

you, but poetry? Really? If I wrote this, it'd be full of bad r

ion wavering. "So, you're s

prom dress in existence, this isn't me. But... whoever wrote it? They're g

st on the table in front of her. "Then who cou

. Someone obviously knows you well enough to get the details right. Do you think it could be a

il groaned, burying h

s in surrender. "Fine, fine. Not

e isn't romantic enough to p

ly trying to win you over after you rejected him for prom. He loves bei

like him. Tyler isn't exactly subtle, and

st the table thoughtfully. "O

n of his name. "Why would it be Ethan?"

he looks at you like you're the only girl in th

ce heated. "

rms. "But honestly, this Mystery Lover thing is kind of exciting. It

ietly. "It feels... overwhelming. Like they

's hand. "I get it, Abby. But maybe it's not such a bad thing. Maybe whoever

words blurring as her thoughts swir

rious, let them. If they're serious, they'll show themselves eventually. In the meantim

row. "Do I want to kno

ust me, it's going to be great. Now, let's get to class b

lief. Jane was right-if this Mystery Lover was serious, they'd rev

ingered. Who was Mystery Lover

ht be the Mystery Lover. It made a twisted sort of sense. Tyler loved attention, and

wed at her. The only way to b

ainst the wall with his usual crowd. He was in the middle of an ex

er noticed her approach and straightened, his trademark smirk creeping o

her falter, but she pressed on

er said, raising an eyebrow. H

lookers. Her cheeks burned, but she couldn't back out

t say I did, but now I'm curious. What'd

tomach twisted. She hadn't even mentioned the poem, but Ty

estion," she said,

me guess: you think I've been pining after

She could hear the moc

must think the whole school is in love with you. New

opened her mouth to respond, but no words

ng with false sympathy. "You're used to everyone fall

Unable to take any more, Abigail turned and walked away as

olished wood and sheet music wrapping around her like a fragile shield. Sittin

might be Tyler? How had she let

n this saw a version of her that didn't exist in Tyler's world. They saw som

nutes later, still clutching

ad, blinking back te

her, her expression

isper. "I thought... I thought maybe it was him,

her shoulder. "He's an idiot

ubbling to the surface. "Why would someone do this? Why wo

ion. "Maybe they're scared," she said after a moment. "Maybe they're af

I can handle this, Jane. It's like... they see this version of m

is. Whoever this is, they're obviously into you for a reason.

e knot in her chest didn'

tery Lover and Tyler the Terrible. Let's focus on something more important-your birt

small smile. "Ye

turning. "Because I've got a surprise pl