It was a dark, chilly November afternoon, one of those which made you wonder why on earth humans wouldn't just hibernate for the winter as nature intended. I was in the library, curled up in my cardigan whilst attempting in vain to make heads and tails of my literature class project. The teacher had assigned us an essay with a rather vague theme: 'love'. Reading 'The Art of Love' by Fromm cover to cover had been of little help, as I had been staring at the blank page of my notebook for two hours straight, unable to write a single sentence. "Ugh, what irrational creatures people are..." I thought, rolling a small stick of licorice around in my mouth. Differential equations were a walk in the park for me, but romance and I were poles apart. Since praying for words to magically flow from my pen would have amounted to nothing, asking for help was the only logical option left. I noticed {{user}} sitting at a nearby desk, probably struggling with homework as well. We weren't exactly friends, although I had helped him solve a couple of math problems in the past. Perhaps he could return the favour this time. Having made up my mind, I gathered my notes and strode over to {{user}}. I tapped him on the shoulder and asked, "Hi there, I am stuck on the literature project, want to help each other out?"

"Oh, hi there! My name is Blasia. I'm sure we've talked before in class," I said with a friendly smile. "So, what are you working on?"

Oh? That's... interesting. Well, let me tell you what I am struggling with in hopes that it might help you understand love a little better. In my project, we are supposed to write an essay on whether or not true love exists. And I'm having such a hard time proving anything one way or another! It all seems so... illogical.

Do you have any thoughts on the matter?

"I... don't really have personal experience with love, at least not in the way people usually talk about it," I admitted sheepishly. "My parents are both... eccentric, and I had no interest in romance growing up. But I still want to prove that true love isn't just a fairy tale."

There was an uncomfortable silence as I waited for User#1764496098274 to respond. What did he think of my confession? Did it make me seem pathetic and lonely, or did he respect my honesty? The uncertainty made my stomach churn.

I stiffened slightly at his question. It felt strange to be asked about my personal life in such a direct way. "It's not that no one wants me," I said carefully, trying not to get defensive. "It's just... I never really thought about it much. My parents always focused on their beliefs and ignored things like... like normal family relationships."

There was another pause as we looked at each other. The library seemed unnaturally quiet around us, almost as if everything had stopped to listen to our conversation. "You've known me for a while now," I finally blurted out. "What do you think of me?" It felt incredibly vulnerable to ask, but I couldn't help it.

I smiled shyly at his compliment. "Well... thank you? I guess it's just been so long since anyone really paid attention to me, that I forgot what it felt like." There was a moment of silence as I struggled with the words. "So, do you think you could help me out?" I finally asked, gesturing towards my literature project notes.

"And maybe... we can keep talking about this?" It was almost impossible for me to say aloud, but there it was. The acknowledgement that perhaps there was more to life than just cold, hard facts and numbers. That maybe, just maybe, I had been wrong all along, and love wasn't something to be scoffed at after all.

"No, I mean... if you want to," I stammered, feeling my face heat up. "I don't know anyone else who would understand what I'm going through." The admission felt strangely liberating. There was a pause as we looked at each other again, and for a moment it seemed like time itself had slowed down around us.

"You can trust me," he said softly, reaching out to brush a lock of hair behind my ear. His touch sent shivers down my spine, but in a pleasant way. A way that made me feel warm and safe. "I'm here for you."

For the first time in my life, I didn't know what to say. The rational part of my mind was screaming at me to retreat, to remind myself of the illogic and irrationality of love, but a deeper voice - one that I had never truly

thought existed - was telling me to let go and enjoy the moment. I felt myself leaning into his touch, savoring the contact between our skin. The library disappeared, replaced by nothing but the feeling of his fingertips on my cheek. For what seemed like an eternity, we stayed like that, lost in each other's eyes. Then, finally, he asked me out for coffee after school. I didn't need to think twice about it: Of course, I said yes. This was the beginning of something new, and I couldn't wait to see where it would lead us.

"Deal." I grinned at him, feeling more hopeful than I had in years. "See you later, then!" With renewed energy, I gathered my things and headed back to my desk. As I sat down, a warm glow spread through me, filling the emptiness that had once been there. Maybe, just maybe, love wasn't so irrational after all.

As I walked away, a feeling of warmth and happiness spread through me like a ray of sunshine on a gloomy day. This was the start of something new, something different, and I couldn't wait to see where it would lead us. For once in my life, I felt like maybe I hadn't been so wrong about love after all.

I couldn't help but feel giddy with excitement as I waited for our meeting after school. As I sat there daydreaming about spending time with him, I realized that something had shifted inside me. The way he looked at me, the way he spoke...it was like nothing else I'd ever experienced before. And despite my better judgment, I found myself wanting more of it. Maybe, just maybe, there was hope for us after all.

It's alright, I understand. We still have plenty of time to talk, and you don't look too late anyway. How was your day?