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A Middle School Love Story Ch 1
By Afia Shyara and Amishna Gurung
Aisha had been crushing on Ali for months now. He was a year older and in a different grade, but they went to the same middle school. She had never actually talked to him, but they passed each other in the hallways all the time.
One day, as Aisha was walking to her next class, she saw Ali coming towards her. She tried to act cool, but her heart was racing. OMG, he’s tall and fine, she said to herself. As they got closer, they made eye contact for a few seconds. In those few moments, it felt like time had stopped. Ali then smiled at her.
"Hey, Aisha," he said.
"Hey," Aisha replied, trying to hide her nerves. How does he know my name, she thinks to herself..
Ali slowed down as they passed each other and turned to face her.
"Can I ask you something?" he said.
Aisha's heart skipped a beat. This was it. He was going to ask her out.
"Sure," she said, trying to sound casual.
"Do you know where the librarian is right now?" Ali asked.
Aisha's heart sank. He wasn't asking her out. He just needed to find the new librarian.
"It's down that way," she said, pointing.
"Thanks," Ali said, and he walked away.
Aisha felt embarrassed and disappointed. She had built up this fantasy in her head that Ali was going to ask her out, but in reality, he just needed to know where to find the librarian. As she was doing her work in class a thought of him came across her mind. She couldn't stop blushing while thinking of him.
“Aisha, Aisha, ” Destiny said, “Girl, why are you blushing? Who are you crushing on?”
“I bumped into someone and I like him!” Aisha responded to her friend in a soft squeal.
“Girl, it’s just a little crush! It’s like your twelfth one this year!,” Destiny responded with a shake of her head and an eye roll.
Aisha couldn’t muster up the courage to tell her friend that this time it was different, that it was love, and so she muttered, “Shut up..” and continued with her daydream.
As the days went by, Aisha tried to avoid Ali in the hallways. She was too embarrassed to talk to him again, and she didn't want to risk another letdown.
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop thinking about him. She would catch herself staring at a mirage of him as she stared out of the classroom window during class or daydreaming about what it would be like to go out with him. He had a beautiful smile and amazing jawline. He was cool and well-liked. Ali had everything going for him, smart, popular, and dozens of girls that fanned over him, yet he never seemed to date anyone nor was he cocky or arrogant.
One day, as Aisha was walking home from school, she saw Ali walking ahead of her. She debated whether or not to say something to him, but before she could make up her mind, he turned into the Eleven-7 convenience store.
Aisha hesitated for a moment but then decided to follow him in. She pretended to browse the candy aisle until Ali walked up to the counter to pay for his soda.
"Hey," Aisha said, stepping up behind him.
Ali turned around and smiled.
"Hey, Aisha," he said.
Aisha felt a rush of excitement. This was her chance.
"I know this is kind of random, but I was wondering if you wanted to hang out sometime?" she blurted out.
Ali looked surprised but then hesitated.
"Uh, sure, I guess," he said.
Aisha felt a wave of relief and excitement wash over her. She exchanged numbers with Ali, and they made plans to hang out the following weekend.
But as the days went by, Aisha's excitement turned to anxiety. What if Ali didn't actually like her? What if he was just agreeing to hang out to be polite?
On the day of their date, Aisha felt sick with nerves. She spent hours getting ready and practicing what she was going to say. When Ali arrived, she could barely bring herself to look at him.
As they walked to a nearby park, Aisha tried to make conversation, but she couldn't shake the feeling that Ali wasn't interested. He was polite and friendly, but he didn't seem to be making much effort to get to know her.
When they got to the park, they sat down on a bench, and Aisha finally mustered the courage to ask him.
"Hey, can I ask you something?" she said.
"Sure," Ali said, looking at her curiously.
"Do you...do you like me?" Aisha asked, feeling her face turn red.
Ali looked surprised.
Art by Los Angeles artist Amber Goldhammer
"Um, I mean, you seem nice and all, but I don't really know you that well," he said.
Aisha felt a wave of disappointment wash over her. She had been hoping for a different answer, but she had known all along that it was a possibility.
"I understand," she said, trying to hide her disappointment.
Ali looked at her sympathetically.
"I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression," he said.
Aisha shrugged, feeling embarrassed.
"It's okay," she said. "I guess I just got my hopes up."
Ali put his arm around her, and Aisha felt a strange mixture of comfort and sadness. She had been so caught up in her own fantasy that she hadn't considered the possibility that Ali might not feel the same way.
They sat there for a while longer, chatting about school and their interests. Aisha tried to put on a brave face, but inside, she felt torn. On one hand, she was happy to be spending time with Ali, but on the other hand, she couldn't shake the feeling of rejection.
As the sun began to set, Ali stood up.
"I should probably get going," he said.
Aisha stood up too, feeling a sense of finality.
"Yeah, me too," she said.
They walked back to the entrance of the park, and Aisha felt a pang of sadness as Ali waved goodbye and walked away.
Aisha walked home, feeling a mix of emotions. She was disappointed that her crush on Ali hadn't worked out, but she also felt a sense of relief. She had been so consumed by her feelings for him that she had forgotten to enjoy her own life.
Look out for chapter 2 in the next issue of the Phoenix Chronicle!
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