The week before I hurt my ankle was unbelievable, I met a boy who made my world turn into rays of sun. His name is Nicolas Armani Pena, but he goes by Nick. During this week, we had just started talking. We would stay up on the phone all night every night and neither one of us would shut up. We both felt some seriously intense feelings. But, how could I not feel those feelings? He’s perfect.

The day I injured my ankle was an amazing day. In the morning, Nick and I sat, talked and hugged each other a lot, but sweat beaded off of his head at the same time; I wondered if everything was alright. When first period started, he kissed me on the cheek like he normally did, but today it was a little bit closer to my lips than usual. The day went by normal besides that: between every class I would see him and he would walk me to my next class.

Finally, last period rolled around: Mrs. Wilborn’s class. All I did, after about 20 minutes into the class, was fidget and wait to see Nick again. I missed him already. Eventually, Mrs. Wilborn’s class ended and I could see him. When he came to meet me by the doors, his eyes kept veering from side to side - he was nervous, but why?

“Hey” he said with a smile, showing his sparkling teeth.

“Hey” I responded with my awkward crooked smile that is nothing compared to his. Then he hugged me, and I squeezed him back.

“So...uh...I was wondering if you wanna like..go out..?” he said with a loss of confidence.

I was shocked. Did this perfect human being actually want to be with me? I was stunned and I said, “Maybe..” And instantly saw the hurt in his eyes, so I pulled him into a hug and held him there for a second. I wanted to be with him more than anything in the universe, so why did I say maybe? What was wrong with me?! “Text me” I said to show him that I wanted him.

“I will” he replied before walking to the bus. Then, I had to go to volleyball conditioning. On the walk over to the gym, I kept kicking myself. Why would I say maybe? I wanted to text him right then and tell him yes - a million times yes, but I decided to keep my cool and tell him the next day in person.

I walked into the gym and helped set up the net, it was time to take my mind off of my stupidity. I played and did drills with my team mates for like an hour or so, then we played Queen of the Court (A game that is 3-on-3 that does not keep score. Whoever loses the first point leaves, so another team can replace them). I can’t remember who was on my team, I just remember the statuesque set that looked like a rainbow - I had to hit it. I had beautiful form going up and hit it the hardest I’ve ever hit a ball (probably because I was mad at myself over that maybe comment), then I landed.

I landed straight on my left ankle, and it was the worst pain that I had ever felt before that. I couldn’t walk after it, I had to hobble to a chair and sit down and ice it. Then, I realized that this pain is nothing compared to the pain I would feel if I lost Nick: I realized I was falling for him.