Normally I would never do this, but due to circumstances completely beyond my control, here I am. Though, I must confess, I've been meaning to tell you for a while. I could just never figure out how to do it.

I'm not one to beat around the bush, so I suppose I should just cut to the chase: I'm in love with you. Completely, stupidly, utterly, head-over-heels. Have been for quite a while, in fact.

I'm sure this may come as a surprise to you. After all, I'm not exactly one for showing even the slightest hint of affection. But I don't need to be affectionate to know when I'm in love, though it did take a while for me to figure out why my stomach was feeling funny all the time.

Where do I even begin?

You're cute. Let's just put it like that. Your face is cute. Your smile is cute. The way you obsess over junk food and wizard movies is cute. The way you blush is cute. The way you brush your hair out of your eyes is cute.

Oh, I have plenty more to say, but for once in my life, I have no idea how to say it. I don't know how to say anything. But I suppose I'll figure out when I write the next note for you.

From, Me.

Every single word was imprinted into Noah's brain. Even the tiny ink smudges he could still picture perfectly. It was literally keeping him awake at night.

Was it enough? Was it too cringe? Did it lack detail? Did he put too much detail? Was his handwriting legible despite his hand shaking the whole time?

Noah rolled onto his stomach and buried his face into his pillow, letting out a long sigh. Never in his life did he think he would be losing sleep over a love letter, of all things. No doubt Eva and Izzy must be rubbing their hands together in glee right now.

How had he gotten himself into this mess? When did it even start?

Well, Noah supposed, it had to have started with that one gym lesson.

It was the beginning of the school year, right when he was starting to settle down into his schedule. One day, his gym teacher became extremely enthusiastic about teaching the class how to play soccer. Noah already had a pre-forged doctor's note in his bag in case of emergencies. It certainly came in handy that time. He was told to just go sit on the bleachers for the time being.

Noah made himself comfortable up the very top, where he had an unobstructed view of the field, and of everyone else accidentally kicking soccer balls into each other's faces and groins. He chuckled to himself, then pulled out a book to read.

It wasn't long before he noticed someone else climbing up the bleachers towards him. Scrawny, with chestnut-brown hair and carrying a book of his own under his arm. Cody Anderson, whom he shared maths and geography class with. Up to that point, however, they'd hardly interacted aside from the occasional hello.

"Hiya!" Cody called when he caught sight of Noah. "How's it going?"

"Pretty good, at least compared to them," Noah gestured to those on the field.

"Ha, yeah. I'm glad I'm not down there right now." Cody seated himself next to Noah and placed his book in his lap. "My class is doing volleyball inside the gym. But I got out of it." He flashed a proud smile. "I'm resourceful like that."

Noah rolled his eyes. Cody wasn't the only resourceful one here.

"Anyway, I'm glad to have someone to hang out with."

"...Sure…" Noah wasn't so enthusiastic. He turned his attention back to his book, hoping that Cody would take the hint and leave him be.

Beside him, he heard Cody's backpack rustling as he reached inside and pulled out a 4DS. He opened it and began playing a game. Sanic the Warthog, by the sound of it.

At least Noah wouldn't be bothered for a while. He could deal with the background noise of a video game. So he leaned back, flicked to the next page in his book, and continued reading.

Noah and Cody stayed like that for a while; minding their own business as the PE class on the field were busy learning how to play soccer. It was a pleasant day, not too hot and not too windy. From way up on top of the bleachers, they could see the tops of all the trees and houses in a good distance.

All in all, it was peaceful.

Except…

Every now and then, Cody would make a small noise of frustration. Noah just ignored him, but they became more frequent. And louder. Eventually, it got to the point where they were interrupting Noah's reading. And if there was one thing he absolutely couldn't stand, it was having his reading time interrupted.

He lowered his book with a heavy sigh. "What's the matter, Cody?"

"This one level keeps kicking my ass," Cody replied. "I can't get past it." Just then, he presumably died again, and he slammed his fist into his leg. "Aw, come on! Not again! I'm on my last life now!"

"Do you need my help?" Noah offered, annoyed at the interruption.

"Yes, please!" Cody thrust his 4DS into Noah's face. "Owen told me you're good at video games!"

Noah took the 4DS from him and squinted at the screen. Oh yes. Level 17. He remembered that one.

He'd cleared it within two minutes. On his first try, no less. There was really nothing to it.

"Alright," he flexed his fingers. "Watch and learn."

Then, as Cody watched in utter amazement and jealousy, Noah once again cleared the level within two minutes. This time, he didn't even take a single hit. He couldn't help but smirk at how easy it was.

"Oh my god, dude!" Cody's mouth hung open. "How did you do that?"

"Faster than you ever could," Noah handed the console back to him.

"Finally! I honestly thought I was gonna be stuck on that level for ages! Thank you so much!" And with that, Cody threw his arms around Noah's shoulders in a one-sided hug.

Cody was warm; Noah could feel his body heat through his two layers of shirts, on top of the three layers he himself usually wore. He smelled like way too much Hatchet deodorant. The hug only lasted a second, then Cody let go.

That hug sent a sudden jolt straight into Noah's heart, which began to throb, ever so slightly harder than before. He froze, unsure of how to react.

Cody was still grinning at him, when the bell signaling lunch time went off. He stood up and grabbed his backpack. "Thanks again, dude! See you later!" Then he was off, heading down towards the field.

Noah watched him go. Cody's scent still lingered in the air. The ghostly warmth of his touches could still be felt on Noah's body. He shivered slightly, unsure of why he was feeling weird all of a sudden.

He may not have known it just yet, but that was the start of a brand new experience for him: falling in love.