-Connor, 13 weeks before the big day-

"Leave me alone!" I shouted so loud that attracted everyone in the cafeteria to look at my direction.

Seth- the "oh-so-famous-and-handsome" point guard of the basketball team back in my school, who, coincidentally, is also my tormentor and the person who I could give the title of "The Most Hypocritic Jerk In The World"- is now saying sorry for bullying me and wanted to explain for the things that he had done to make my freshman, sophomore, junior and the first half of my senior year a living hell.

"Just, please, Connor, let me explain..."

"Wow, such a great way to ask for my forgiveness, huh Seth? What is it?" I snapped at him, and the entire school looked at me with wide eyes.

Well, no one ever snapped at him like that in school. Not until today.

"Come on, tell me. What is it?" I said, while Seth kept his head down low.

"You know what? Keep all of your excuses to yourself, as if I would have care whether or not your excuses made sense for me!" I spat at him and brought my lunch tray to disposal, as I was stomping out of the cafeteria.

Why would I ever believe in his words anymore, frankly saying? Like, please, Seth saying sorry to an outcast like me? Who are you kidding?

I walked through the hallways to my own locker, and found a small note on the door:

"Please, give me a chance to explain..."

I angrily threw the piece of paper to the trash can and continued taking things to prepare for my 3rd and 4th period. Like I would ever give him a chance to give me more bullcrap excuses...

Talking about excuses, I have to get myself out of the status of "sitting right next to him" in my period 3- Geography- class.

"Maybe I'll think about a way to avoid it during class..." I thought to myself, and immediately agreed on the idea.

-Seth, 13 weeks before the big day-

Well, don't you look at that, I screwed up everything again.

I muttered a curse under my breath, as I was walking back towards my lunch table with a defeated posture.

"Dude, what were you doing over there?" Brandon, one of the star basketball players, asked me with that "the hell just happened?" voice, and I scoffed immediately:

"I really need to say sorry to him."

"For what, dude?" Brandon asked me with a hint of surprise in his voice.

"Is 'bullying him for 3 and a half years' a legitimate reason?" I asked with a sarcastic tone.

"Woah, geez, why do you have to be such a sassy pants today, all of a sudden?" Brandon replied, with a surrendered tone and rose his hands up into the air.

Then after a brief pause, he wiggled his eyebrows towards me, and asked me in an amused voice:

"Do you having a crush on him?"

"No, absolutely not! Why would you say that?" I looked at him with a strange look, and he laughed.

"Everyone in school knew that you are completely head over heels for Connor, except for you and your gang, dude! It was way too obvious!"

"What? Dude, stop with the crap-talking already. I don't like Connor. I don't even have a fling for a guy!"

"Yeah, whatever." he rolled his eyes and continued eating, without talking to me.

"You guys really made me crazy, you know that?" I said with an upset tone, and get out of the lunchroom.

Oh, god help me, Seth! Stop lying to yourself! You know you DO like Connor! Just say it!

Urgh, my mind is saying these facts all over again. I DO NOT like Connor!

I just got my heart a bit fluttered every single time I see him smiling to someone in the hallway.

Or when we're in class and I see Connor answering questions, the first thing I do is secretly admire him for his intelligence

Sometimes, I tried so hard not to laugh when I see him doing goofy stuffs in the hallway when we're walking in school.

Or try not to cry when I see him being beaten up, or when I beat him. And see him crying.

All of those teardrops were because of me. And I do know that bullying people is wrong, completely wrong.

But I can't keep myself from the fear of falling in love with someone all over again.

I am afraid of being heartbroken, once more. And I won't risk my heart for something as dumb as a crush in the last weeks of high school.

I'll never see him again, after 13 weeks.

I'll never see him again...

-Connor, 12 weeks before the big day-

"So, how was college application?" My great friend, Emma, asked me.

"I got into NYU, if you are wondering. How about you?" I asked her with a tone of excitement, and she replied casually:

"Oh, I got an acceptance letter from Tufts, actually"

"Woah, 5 schools already?" I exclaimed.

"And counting!" She said in an excited manner.

After our brief high-five session, we got back to our casual conversation between a math nerd- which is Emma- and a grammar Nazi- which is me, mostly about our quick approaching end of our senior year, and the selections of colleges we have after graduation.

"Mr. Sanders and Miss Quincy, do you have any stories that you wanted to share to the class?"

But not until we finished the AP exams... I sighed, and kept my silence for the rest of the class.

The class went by rather normal, except for the part that Seth will not stop note-bombing me, saying that he was sorry for tormenting me for the past 3 years and a half and he wants me to give him a chance to explain the reason why he would do that.

Stop writing notes to me! I answered him back, with the attitude of "I-am-clearly-not-amused" imprinted on my face.

Please, Connor, just let me explain! He wrote back.

Urgh, no! I angrily answered.

Why is he so annoying?

-Seth, 10 weeks before the big day-

"Okay, I admit it, mom; no matter how I tried, he wouldn't ever let me explain things to him." I said to my mom on the phone. And she replied back with a sigh and a tone of explanatory:

"You know, judged by your voice while talking about him, I have to say, this is the first time you could that much of concern over a specific someone."

She could easily guessed my thought of confusion, so she continued her speech:

"The thing is, son, sometimes, you have to prove someone that you love that person, regardless whether or not it's a guy, a girl or even a dog." I chuckled, and she keeps on saying:

"Give him a proof that you really love him, Seth Hallowell. That way, Connor wouldn't ever have to feel doubtful about this matter anymore." She said, and I have to agreed to everything about it.

Connor was really doubtful about me after all those times. And for sure, if anyone do that to me, I would feel the same like Connor.

"Hey, dear, you're still there?" My mom's voice echoed through the phone. I answered:

"Yeah, I'm here! Mom, you're right. Thank you for the advice!"

"As always, dear!" And then we hung up, with me putting up on my face a determined gaze.

"Hmmm, you know, Seth, why don't you listen to Mom's advice? She's right, you know?" I heard my conscious echoing, and I have to say (although I don't want to say it), it's right this time.

Connor Sanders, you're hearing my explanation, sooner or later. And I'm gonna surprise you with that...

-Connor, 6 weeks before the big day-

From: Connor Sanders

To: Amelia Sanders

Subject: Update!

Hey there,

It's me, Connor! Last month for me was completely chaotic, with all of the jazz that could possibly happen to a senior like me. You know, colleges, tests and lots of things to do for our graduation day. I am so exhausted, but at the same time, I can't wait to get out there and start on my own journey!

But at the same time, high school never ceased to amaze me in any way. Guess what, my big sister! I have a secret admirer! Shocker, huh? Yeah, I don't think I have one until last month after spring break, when I got to my locker and received a note from "a secret admirer" who told me that my eyes look like the beautiful maple trees in Maine in summer. Such a flirt that person is, huh?

Oh, that's not all: I got gifts from them, a lot actually. And they all looked great! Once I got a really pretty notepad, than a journal, then a small teddy bear, a crystal ball, and a letter from that person! And he send it to me every single day.

Every.Single.Freaking.Day, sis.

I don't know what to say, Mia, but...I think I'm starting to fall for him.

But I'm afraid, a lot. That I would end up hurting myself again.

Funny enough, no one knows that I used to have a relationship with Devin, who graduated when I was only a sophomore.

Remember that, Mia? The time that you have to get a break from work in Philadelphia just to get your butt back here to New Hampshire just to calm me down because I was so much in crying and weeping mess that I hope I don't have to deal with it once again?

Now, I know that I am falling in love with him. But I don't know what to do. And I just can't turn him down and lie about my feelings- that's evil and I don't want to let him have to get through the pain that I've been through. That's not fair for him, at all.

But I just don't want to get hurt.

Could you just...give me a small advice? Please?

Aside from that, the weather is still awesome, and oh my god you wouldn't believe this at all, but I got into NYU!!

Connor.

P/S: How's everything over in Philly? And most importantly, how are you and your husband going?

-Seth, 1 month before the big day-

It's working! It's working! I chanted deep down inside myself, as I see Connor's insecure pose pacing around the school and keeps on muttering to himself:

"Who could it be? Who could it be?"

I gave him a light touch on the shoulders, as he snapped up and started to sternly looking at me:

"Now what?" He looked at me with a discomforted gaze, and I said:

"Can I...talk to you for a bit?"

He shook his head in disbelief and was attempting to leave, before I said:

"I could help you find your secret admirer!"

He then turned around and looked at me with that "Who told you that?" expression. And I confidently answered him with a victorious smile: "I accidentally saw someone slips their gifts to you!"

"Who is it? Who is it?" Connor grabbed my hands and started to shake me, which made me almost pass out considering how fast he shook me.

"I can't tell you that, unless you hear my explanation." I said with some plead in my voice.

"Alright, fine! Come on, tell me what you wanna say!"

*After the explanation section, me and Connor was walking out*

"Okay, I think I just got the best of my senior year right now." Connor exclaimed, which made me chuckled and asked him with a weird look:

"Why so?"

"Now I know a lot about you, and I do know your deepest, darkest secret!" He wiggled his brows, by which i have to shush him to not screaming it out.

What did I say to him, you may ask? Oh, actually it was nothing, considered that I just tell him I have a crush on a guy (But he don't even have a clue that it was him.) and I did heard that something thoroughly unexpected by everyone is going to happen during graduation, which basically sent him up into clapping mid-air, as he is someone who actually love romance.

As he was fast-walking to class after saying goodbye and give me a good luck thumbs up, I slowly put everything that had happened today into my mind.

Connor just basically wanted to be my friend, and we decided to put back our past behind us. On the other note, I did give him some information about the "secret admirer" that he was frantically looking for.

The only thing he never know that the surprise on graduation day was actually for him...

-Connor, the big day-

It's time. Graduation day is today.

I got up to school with my sister Amelia, and seeing everyone who is ready for us to get the heck outta here really made my day.

But the thing that stuck on my mind after all was the note that said:

"Today is the day that the surprise shall amaze you.Congratulations, you made it!"

After the presentation of diplomas, we started to get on to the honor speakers. And then Seth walked to the podium and everyone clapped as Seth was starting his speech.

"With me, relationship with people are widely appreciated and it had affected me in many ways." I boringly looked onto the stage, while Seth proceeds with his speech:
"But sometimes, we tend to want that relationship to elevate between you and someone. And I'm no exception."

I shook my head in the cheesiness of his speech in utter disbelief. Well, at the end of our high school journey, our oh-so-tough captain of the basketball team finally released his inner sweetheart for everyone to look at.

Well, excluding me. Because I had seen this way before they do.

"Care to explain?" Yeah, I do see people wiggling their eyebrows at the super suspicious question, you mean?

Alright, so a month before this, Seth told me that he had a crush towards a guy in our school, who is also a senior (if my remembrance is correct), and he asked me to help him. Along with that, he also said sorry to me, for tormenting me.

And I did forgive him. You could easily understand why did I chose to forgive him that fast.

It's already senior year, you know? And really, I don't want myself to have to hold a grudge to anyone, to any extent.

And from then, we became close friends: I was the first one on his mind whenever he needed, or wanted to do anything that involves being with me, out of everyone.

I did ask him why would he suddenly wanted to hang out with me. He simply responded:

"Just because I wanted to, that's all."

Then we hung out, and at the same time, helping each other deciphering our secret admirer. But at the same time, I started to have these feelings towards him.

And it only grew deeper. And deeper.

But I see that Seth's attitude towards me changed even more dramatically: he started to avoid me, all once again. (But good lord saying, not the bullying part).

But I know for damn sure, I am falling for him. And it was a regretful decision, to begin with: I know he has a crush towards a guy, but for sure, that guy is certainly NOT me.

Two, I don't ever think he could ever have a crush towards me. Or that was what I at least think so.

I don't know, seriously... I honestly can't understand anything right now.

What do people called this status of when your brain just...stopped working all of the sudden because of someone? Falling in love?

"And with me, one of the relationship that I always wanted to elevate is with someone I had been secretly admired...for a while now..."

And my breath hitched. Is he...

"Connor Sanders, can you please stand up and join me at the podium, please?"

My eyes went wide, but I still managed to stammered all the way to the podium. The moment I got next to Seth's posture, he immediately gripped my hand, as I was still in a state of utter shock.

"The guy that is standing next to me," he addressed to everyone in the crowd "is the most beautiful soul you would ever met, if you have the chance to know him in person:he is kind, caring, enthusiastic and he would help everyone if needed and in his abilities. Plus, he made great cookies that could really heal your heart after a heartbreak, if you're asking!"

I blushed furiously at the sentence, which made everyone laughed and give me thumbs up. Then Seth turned to face me, and said:

"He was perfect ,in a lot of ways, and I was so grateful for having a friend like him, even though it's just for a brief time."

And for a long moment, he just looked at me, with the eyes as blue as the sea in Aruba, and continued his speech confidently, while still holding a grip onto my hand, in front of the entire school.

"And I know this should be awkward and seems a little bit too fast, but I know that I admired Connor so bad that I wanted to raise the relationship with him to a brand new level."

And I heard a gasp from the crowd, as Seth leant in and smashed his lips with me, and a roar and a round of applause from everyone.

Seth's lips was warm, and honestly saying, it tastes like freshly-picked strawberries.

And I was frozen on spot, with my eyes gently shut and my mind on cloud nine.

After our lips parted, the first things we heard from some senior in the crowd was their triumphant shout:

"See, I told you guys they will be together, I told you!"

Then I heard Seth chuckled nervously, which made me hesitantly laughed.

"Connor Sanders, will you agree to be my significant other?"

I timidly nodded, and the entire crowd erupted in cheer.

Well, most of them, except for people who basically just can't stand witnessing the sight of two guys making out with each other, by which the only thing they do is rolling their eyes in disapproval, and our supporters just gave them weird looks.

Afterwards, Seth finished his speech, but I was way too happy to hear any word from it.

After the ceremony, I pulled him to a small corner, while he was still in a surprise mood from my sudden movement, and I practically shouted at him:

"Okay, what was that?"

"What was what?" Seth answered innocently.

"You know damn well what I'm talking about: you basically just said that you wanted to be my boyfriend on my graduation day out of all dates! And in front of the whole freaking crowd! What were you thinking?"

Seth snapped back with a hurt tone:

"Well, until now you wouldn't ever recognize it?"

"Of course not!" I scolded. He just answered with a shake of his head and a slight smirk:

"Remember the initials in the notes and letters that I sent to you?"

"The initials?" I looked at him, confused, but swiftly understood what he meant.

There was initials on it.

S.H.

Seth Hallowell.

"It was you?" I whispered, as my eyes started to tear up, as Seth started to approach me and said:

"Connor, I really do love you..."

"No, don't walk anywhere near here, you jerk!" I shouted right at his face. "Who with a right mind would let their friend got into a state of emotional dysfunctions and having to keep on guessing on someone who they wouldn't ever thought was himself?" I kept on shouting, as Seth was holding me tighter and tighter and I kept on struggling:

"You bullied me, made me heartbroken, made my life hell and then now you're talking about this before we let each other go separate directions?"

I kept on struggling, before I feel so powerless in his arms and started to cry, head resting on his shoulder:

"I can't let you go.... I don't want you to go away from me..."

"Shh, hey, do I even look like I'm gonna let go of you, Connor?" Seth whispered in my ear in a smooth voice, which made me looked up, as he gently kissed me on my lips:

" I won't ever let you go, Connor; I do promise that."

I looked at him and smiled, just right when Amelia looked at us in awe:

"Awww, come on, take a picture together, I'm so gonna remember this day!"

We took off our graduation caps and threw it mid-air with big smiles plastered on our faces and our hands intertwined, as Amelia took a shot of that moment.

"I won't ever let you go, Connor: I do promise that."

-Seth, 3 months after the big day-

Me and Connor were in front of his house, as his parents gave me a goodbye hug and Amelia reminded me to take care of Connor without her or his parents there, and told me that if I ever hurt him (which I promised I wouldn't ever dare), the next thing I knew is Amelia is gonna punched me right in the face.

As we get on our car that we would bound to Boston, and Connor buckled up on the passenger's seat while I was on the driver's seat, I looked at his beautiful green eyes, and gripped his hand firmly.
"Ready to take on the world?"

"As long as we'll never let go of each other."

"Then it's gonna be a long time, then."

And then we drove out of his driveway, and into the road, to the next chapter of our lives. Together.

-The End-