Ellie Thompson sat at her usual spot in the school cafeteria, idly pushing her salad around with a fork. Her best friend, Mia, was chattering away about some new TV show, but Ellie’s mind was elsewhere. Her eyes kept drifting to the other side of the room, where a group of boys was laughing loudly. Among them was James Parker, the boy who had occupied her thoughts for the better part of the last year.
James was everything Ellie thought she wasn’t. Confident, athletic, effortlessly charming. His dark hair fell perfectly into place, and his smile could light up a room. Ellie felt a flutter in her stomach every time he glanced her way, even if those glances were rare and fleeting.
“Earth to Ellie!” Mia’s voice broke through her reverie.
“Huh? Sorry, what did you say?” Ellie asked, tearing her gaze away from James.
“I was asking if you want to come over after school to study for the math test,” Mia repeated, rolling her eyes with a grin. “But clearly, you’re too busy daydreaming about James.”
Ellie blushed and looked down at her tray. “I wasn’t daydreaming,” she mumbled unconvincingly.
“Sure, you weren’t,” Mia teased. “Why don’t you just talk to him?”
Ellie shook her head vigorously. “No way. He doesn’t even know I exist.”
Mia sighed, but before she could say anything more, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. Ellie gathered her things and followed Mia out of the cafeteria, her mind still lingering on James’s smile.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Ellie found it hard to concentrate in her classes, her thoughts constantly drifting back to James. She replayed every interaction they’d ever had, which were mostly limited to a few shared classes and the occasional awkward smile in the hallway. She wished she had the courage to talk to him, but every time she thought about it, her heart raced, and her palms grew sweaty.
As the final bell rang, Ellie packed her bag slowly, not in any hurry to get home. Mia had a student council meeting, so Ellie was on her own. She walked out of the school and decided to take the long way home, hoping the cool evening air would clear her mind.
The sky was painted with the warm hues of sunset as Ellie made her way through the park near her house. She sat down on a bench by the lake, watching the ducks glide across the water. It was peaceful here, a stark contrast to the chaos of her thoughts.
Lost in her contemplation, Ellie didn’t notice the sky darkening until the first stars began to twinkle above. She looked up, marveling at the beauty of the night sky. As she scanned the heavens, a sudden streak of light caught her eye. A shooting star, blazing a path across the darkness.
Without thinking, Ellie squeezed her eyes shut and made a wish. She wished for the one thing she wanted more than anything else. “I wish James would notice me,” she whispered, her heart aching with the intensity of her desire.
When she opened her eyes, the star was gone, but the hope it had sparked within her remained. Ellie took a deep breath and stood up, feeling a strange sense of calm. Maybe, just maybe, her wish would come true. With a renewed sense of determination, she walked home, ready to face whatever the future held.
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