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MidReal Story
The Broken Heart Series
Scenario:Encouraged by friends, a shy girl takes a brave step toward her crush during lunch.
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Kate
She is a high school student struggling with her selfesteem. She is shy, insecure, and yearning for connection. Kate struggles with her appearance and social interactions, often feeling like an outsider. Encouraged by her friends, she attempts to approach her crush during lunch, confronting her longstanding fear of social rejection. Despite her fears, Kate is determined to overcome her shyness and live more boldly.
Derek
He is Jared's brother and another close friend of Kate's. He is confident, competitive, and charismatic. Derek often teases Kate about being shy and joins the group in encouraging her to overcome her insecurities. His presence adds tension to his rivalry with Jared but deepens the friendship among the group.
Jared
He is one of Kate's friends. He is humorous, blunt, and loyal. Jared often provides comic relief and straightforward advice in Kate's life. He shares a rivalry with his brother Derek regarding sports and family dynamics. Despite his rough exterior, Jared cares deeply for his friends and values their camaraderie, supporting them through various challenges.
The next day at lunch, I was all nerves.
I’d let Morgan talk me into it.
I was going to do it.
I was actually going to do it.
I was going to go talk to him.
I couldn’t believe it.
I was a little more awake than I’d been in class the day before, thanks to Derek’s suggestion that I actually try to get some sleep.
And Morgan had given me a list of things to do every morning to help me feel more awake and alert.
So far, it was working.
I was actually able to stay awake during all of my classes, instead of falling asleep in the afternoons.
And now I was going to take the biggest step out of my comfort zone yet.
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
Jared asked as we sat down at our table.
Morgan had insisted that we eat before we went off to find my crush.
She said I needed something in my stomach, and she didn’t want me passing out.
"I’m sure," I said, even though I wasn’t at all.
But I’d decided that I wasn’t going to back down now.
I had let Morgan talk me into it, so I would follow through with it.
"Okay," Jared said.
"If you’re sure…then let’s get started."
I picked at my sandwich, my stomach too knotted to eat more than a few bites.
Morgan kept glancing at her phone, checking the time.
Jared and Derek started arguing about the basketball game from the day before, and I tried to tune them out.
Mason was sitting two tables away, and he caught my eye.
He gave me a little thumbs-up, and I knew that he knew what I was planning.
He was the only one who knew who my crush was, but he’d promised not to tell anyone else.
I scanned the cafeteria, looking for him.
He was at his usual table near the window, laughing with his friends.
I could see him from across the room, and I felt my hands start to tremble.
"It’s time," Morgan whispered, nudging my shoulder with hers.
"Do you think he even knows who I am?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Morgan gave me a reassuring smile.
"Trust me, after today, he definitely will."
I stood up from the table on shaky legs.
My half-eaten sandwich was still on the tray, but I didn’t care.
Morgan squeezed my arm as I took my first step toward the window.
The cafeteria felt impossibly long, and each table was an obstacle I had to navigate around.
I dodged a freshman carrying a tray and nearly ran into a garbage can.
My palms were getting sweatier by the second, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.
I glanced back at our table, and Morgan gave me a thumbs-up.
Jared and Derek were both watching me, their eyes wide with anticipation.
I took another step forward, my eyes fixed on the table where he sat.
He was laughing at something one of his friends had said, completely oblivious to my presence.
I paused behind an empty chair, frozen in place.
My legs turn to jelly as his eyes meet mine.
He looks up, and for a moment, we’re the only two people in the room.
His lips curve into a smile, and he waves at me, casual and easy.
It’s like a spotlight has been turned on me, and I feel the weight of everyone’s attention.
The empty chair between him and his friend seems to be calling my name, but I can’t move.
I hear Morgan’s excited whisper carrying across the cafeteria.
"Mason Thompson," she says, her voice full of awe.
"He’s looking at her!"
Mason Thompson gestures to the chair again, this time more deliberately.
His friends turn to look at me, their expressions curious.
I grip the back of the empty chair, my knuckles white against the plastic.
The distance between where I stand and where I need to sit feels like an insurmountable chasm.
My breath catches as he pushes his chair back and rises from his seat.
The scraping sound of the chair legs against the floor echoes through my head.
He steps around the table, his eyes never leaving mine.
His friends watch with curious expressions as he approaches me.
The three steps he takes feel like slow motion.
I grip the chair tighter, my fingernails digging into the plastic.
He stops inches away from me, so close I can smell his cologne.
The sounds of the cafeteria fade into the background as he leans in, his breath warm against my ear.
Behind me, I hear Morgan’s sharp intake of breath.
"Hey Kate, want to sit with us?"
His voice is low and smooth, like honey dripping down my spine.
I feel his hand brush against mine on the back of the chair.
He gently pries my fingers loose, one by one.
The plastic creaks as I release my death grip.
My legs unlock when he steps back, creating a small space between us.
The walk around the chair feels like crossing an ocean, but I manage three steady steps.
I lower myself onto the cold plastic seat, feeling it press against my legs.
Mason slides back into his spot beside me, his arm almost touching mine.
I stare at my hands in my lap, hyper-aware of his presence beside me.
His friends continue their conversation, but their voices sound distant.
I hear words like "weekend" and "party," but they don’t register.
Mason shifts in his chair, angling his body toward mine.
His knee brushes against my leg under the table, sending a jolt of electricity through me.
I catch a glimpse of Morgan across the cafeteria, her eyes wide with excitement.
She gives me a discreet thumbs-up before turning back to her lunch.
Mason clears his throat softly, and I feel his shoulder press against mine.
His breath tickles my ear as he whispers, "Want to come to a party with us this weekend?"
My stomach flips at the sound of his voice.
I grip the edge of the seat, processing his words.
His friends continue their conversation, discussing the details of the party.
They mention someone’s house, music choices, and snacks.
But I focus on Mason’s expectant expression.
He waits patiently, his shoulder still pressed against mine.
The cafeteria bustles around us, but at this table, time slows down.
I glance at Morgan again, who’s practically bouncing in her seat.
Mason shifts closer, his knee firm against my leg.
"So, will you come?"
I stare at my hands in my lap, trying to process what he’s asking.
Going to the party means being around him outside school.
Maybe we’ll dance together, or talk without an audience.
His friends continue planning the party, mentioning snacks and music choices.
Mason shifts closer, his shoulder warm against mine.
He waits for my answer, his eyes locked on me.
My throat feels dry, but I manage to lift my head.
I meet his eyes, searching for a hint of what he wants me to say.
His patient smile gives me courage.
Under the table, my fingers unclench from their tight grip.
I gather every bit of courage I have, and he watches me intently.
His cologne fills my senses as I shift in my seat, turning to face him more directly.
The noise of the cafeteria fades into the background as I focus on his expectant expression.
My heart pounds against my ribs, but Morgan’s words echo in my mind.
His friends have gone quiet, watching us with interest.
His knee presses more firmly against mine under the table, and his patient smile encourages me.
Taking a deep breath, I move forward until I can see the flecks of gold in his brown eyes.
I lean in toward him, my mouth dry as I try to form words.
The fluorescent lights above the cafeteria table cast shadows across his face, but his eyes remain warm and fixed on mine.
My pulse thunders in my ears, and his cologne envelops me.
His knee stays pressed against mine under the table, and I’m acutely aware of every point where our bodies touch.
His friends have gone quiet, waiting for my response.
I open my mouth to speak, but my voice catches in my throat.
Mason’s patient smile never wavers as he shifts even closer, his shoulder now fully against mine.
"Mason," I finally manage, my voice barely above a whisper, "why do you want me to come so badly?"
His eyes soften, and he leans in, his breath warm against my cheek.
"Because," he says quietly, "I want you to see the real me, not just the guy everyone else thinks I am."
I stare into his eyes, trying to process his words.
The fluorescent lights above the table cast shadows across his face, and his knee presses even more firmly against mine under the table.
He pulls out his phone from his pocket, his shoulder still pressed against mine.
"Can I get your number?"
His voice is gentle, and he waits for my response.
My fingers tremble slightly as I recite the digits of my phone number.
He types each one carefully into his phone, then shows me the screen to confirm.
His shoulder remains pressed against mine as he asks, "Can you meet me by the oak tree after last period?"