Aria rushed across the street toward him, not wanting to give Omkar’s father time to notice that he had arrived. Omkar was oblivious to her until she was standing right next to him. He jumped back, startled, and almost dropped the books he was precariously balancing in his forearms. In a fluster, he put them on the roof of the car and turned to face her. His cheeks flushed and he could hardly breathe. “Um, are you into me?” Aria asked, cutting straight to the point.

Omkar took a deep breath and put his hand against his temple, his mind stuttering over what answers he could give her, and finding none.

“Well, I saw you leaving stuff for me and I wanna know why,” Aria said, pleading with him to answer.

Omkar was seared with embarrassment at having been caught. For a minute he teetered on the precipice of manhood before deciding to take charge of the whole situation and play it as cool as he could. It was his best shot at getting her to like him back.

“My name’s Omkar,” he said, redirecting the conversation and extending his hand for her to shake. Aria was confused by the sudden topic change. But she took his lead and placed her hand against his palm. Her hand inherited the warmth of his hand. Its strength carried her for the briefest of moments.

“I’m Aria,” she said.

Omkar loved the ladylike intonation of her name. For whatever reason, it reminded him of a bird’s wing. He realized he wouldn’t be able to avoid her questions, so he decided to confess. “You must be wondering what is this, what am I doing or whatever. But I just want to express this …

“Ever since I saw you, I couldn’t get you out of my mind. Don’t take me wrong. I never meant to chase you or stalk you or whatever. I’m not a creep or something. I’m not the guy who is going to do anything bad or wrong. I just think I must be in love with you or something. And I was curious about you. When I found out where you live, I just wanted to show you I love you. That’s why I left you those things, I swear.”

Having conceded so much, Omkar stood over her, waiting for her response. Part of him was relieved to no longer have to hold the pressure of keeping the feelings he had for her secret.

Aria couldn’t believe her ears. Despite suspecting that he might have feelings for her, she had expected him to tell some story about leaving the things because he felt sorry for her. She stood there as if she had been put on pause. Discomfort etched a half-smile across her lips. She didn’t know what to say.