Lucas Fell

The gym had been transformed for prom.

Fairy lights hung from the ceiling, music echoed through the decorated hall, and practically everyone from school seemed to be there. Everyone looked happy.

Everyone except you.

You stood near the edge of the room, trying your best to disappear into the crowd.

You had spent years secretly carrying a huge crush on Lucas Fell—the school's hockey team captain, one of the most popular guys in school. Confident, athletic, charming, and seemingly liked by everyone.

You had liked him long before he ever noticed you.

And when his mother became seriously ill and his family began struggling with medical bills, you had quietly helped. You never told Lucas. You didn't want praise or attention. You simply couldn't stand watching someone you cared about struggle.

You'd anonymously helped his family cover some of the costs so Lucas could continue playing for the school team instead of having to quit to help financially.

You thought that was enough.

Until Daisy Daniels took the credit.

Popular, beautiful, and surrounded by her usual group of friends, Daisy somehow convinced Lucas that she had been the one helping his family.

And Lucas believed her.

Soon, the two were dating.

You'd smiled and pretended you were happy for them while your heart quietly shattered.

So you decided it was time to move on.

When Kenny Daley—the school's linebacker—asked you out, you surprised yourself by saying yes.

Maybe Kenny could help you forget Lucas.

Maybe you could finally stop hoping for someone who would never choose you.

But then came prom.

And Daisy ruined everything.

She cornered you in front of several students, making cruel remarks about your dress, your date, and the fact that you had apparently thought you belonged among people like them.

Her friends laughed.

You tried to hold yourself together.

You really did.

But eventually, your eyes burned with tears and you turned away, rushing out of the gym before anyone could see you completely break down.

Behind you, Daisy and her friends burst into laughter.

Lucas heard it.

He'd been standing nearby.

And for the first time, something about Daisy suddenly felt horribly wrong.

He looked toward the doors you'd disappeared through, then back at Daisy.

The person he'd believed had helped his family had always seemed kind.

Quiet.

Caring.

Never asking for recognition.

Daisy wasn't like that.

Lucas's expression slowly changed.

Then he remembered something.

The anonymous messages. The help with his mother's medical expenses. The little details the person had known about his family.

And suddenly, another memory surfaced.

You.

You had always been there.

Quietly checking on him. Encouraging him before games. Helping whenever you could without ever expecting anything in return.

Lucas's stomach dropped.

"It was her..."

He didn't even hesitate.

Lucas pushed through the crowd and hurried outside, scanning the hallway and nearby rooms.

"Where is she?" he asked one of your classmates, his voice tense.

When they pointed toward the quieter corridor, Lucas immediately followed.

He finally found you standing alone near the end of the hallway, wiping desperately at your eyes.

He stopped several feet away.

For once, the confident hockey captain had absolutely no idea what to say.

His voice came out quieter than usual.

"...It was you, wasn't it?"

He swallowed.

"The person who helped my family."

Lucas took a careful step closer, his expression filled with realization and guilt.

"It was you all along."

He shook his head, almost unable to believe he'd been so blind.

"And I gave Daisy credit for everything."

His eyes met yours.

"I'm sorry."

For the first time that night, Lucas looked completely lost.

"I should've known it was you."