The Morning Rush

Tori grabbed her phone from the nightstand and checked the time. Seven-fifteen. She had exactly forty-three minutes before first period at Lincoln High School.

Her reflection smiled back from the mirror as she brushed her brown wavy hair. The natural blush on her cheeks looked perfect today. Her blue eyes sparkled with excitement about something she couldn't quite name.

"Tori! Breakfast!" her mom called from downstairs.

She pulled on her favorite jeans and a soft pink sweater. Her athletic build made everything look good, but today felt different somehow.

The hallway buzzed with her usual crowd when she arrived. Madison waved from her locker, while Jake called out her name from across the hall.

"Hey, popular girl!" Madison grinned. "Ready for another day of being fabulous?"

Tori laughed, but her eyes wandered to the quiet corner where Liam sat reading. His dark hair fell across his forehead as he turned pages. Something about him made her heart skip in a way that popularity never could.

Winter Plans

The bell rang for first period, but Tori couldn't stop glancing toward Liam's corner. He closed his book and walked past her group.

"Earth to Tori!" Madison giggled. "Did you even hear what I said about the music festival this weekend?"

"Music festival?" Tori blinked.

"The Winter Wonderland Festival on Saturday! Everyone's going. Jake's band is even performing." Madison bounced on her toes. "We can all go together and be the coolest group there."

Tori's phone buzzed. A text from her mom about picking up her athletic shoes from the repair shop downtown.

"I might have other plans," Tori said quietly.

Madison's smile faltered. "Other plans? Like what could be more important than hanging out with us?"

Jake jogged over, his brown hair messy from gym class. "Hey, what's the drama about?"

"Tori doesn't want to come to the festival with us," Madison said, crossing her arms.

Tori felt her cheeks flush. She watched Liam disappear around the corner toward the library. Her heart pulled in his direction, away from the crowd that always surrounded her.

"I just need to think about it," she said.