March 8th was just like any other day. The gym was buzzing with the usual pre-class chatter and the sound of locker doors slamming. Izzy made her way to the gym, expecting to blend into the crowd of students. But when she arrived, she noticed that it was unusually quiet. Everyone was still in the locker rooms, leaving her alone with Frank, who was already in the gym, pacing near the bleachers with a slight look of panic on his face.

"Hey, Izzy," Frank said, his voice trembling a little. "There's a spider over there!" He pointed toward a corner of the gym with an exaggerated gesture. Izzy couldn't help but laugh a bit.

“Seriously? but I’m scared of spiders too,” she admitted, trying to lighten the mood. Frank’s expression relaxed a little, and he seemed grateful for her understanding. He took a deep breath, his eyes wide as he began to share his other fears. “I’m also scared of deep sea, ducks, trees, and being alone.”

Izzy raised an eyebrow, trying to keep a straight face. “Wow, Frank, that’s quite a list. I didn’t know you were so afraid of trees!” she teased, her tone playful. Frank chuckled, appreciating her attempt at humor.

As Frank continued to list his fears, Izzy felt a growing sense of comfort. Their conversation flowed easily, and she could tell he was enjoying their exchange. She was finally about to confess her feelings for him when the gym doors swung open, and Frank’s friends walked in, laughing and joking.

Izzy’s heart sank as she realized the moment had slipped away. She froze, feeling a pang of disappointment as her carefully planned confession was interrupted. Instead of speaking up, she decided to hang out with Frank for the rest of the gym class, her mind preoccupied with the missed opportunity. They played a casual game of 4 square, and despite her internal struggle, she enjoyed spending time with him.

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After gym class, Izzy's nerves were still on edge. She couldn’t shake off the feeling of missed chances and unspoken words. As soon as she got home, she made her way to her final class, but her mind was elsewhere. The only thing she could think about was how to let Frank know how she felt.

Determined to clear the air, Izzy decided to send him an email that evening. Sitting at her computer, she typed out her message with a mix of hope and trepidation. “Hey Frank, it’s me, Izzy. Uhhh, so there is a slight chance you won’t see this, but I kinda chickened out today because I don’t know why, but I like you. I mean, I have no idea if you like me too, but I just wanted to let you know that. If you don’t like me back, I hope it doesn’t ruin our friendship. My number is 585-***-**** if you wanna text me, or you can email me, up to you. Okay, bye.”

As soon as she hit send, a wave of anxiety washed over her. The fear of rejection loomed large, making her feel vulnerable and exposed. She tried to push her worries aside as she packed her things and went to her father’s house for the weekend.

The days felt longer as she waited for a response. Each minute seemed like an hour, and her anxiety grew with every passing moment. She confided in her little sister about the situation, finding solace in sharing her fears and hopes. Finally, when Sunday, March 10th arrived, she made her way back to her mother’s house with bated breath.

As soon as she walked through the door, she checked her phone, her heart racing. To her immense relief and joy, there was a text from Frank. His message read, “Hey Izzy it's me frank I had no idea you felt that way about me unironically I was going to admit my feelings to you cuz for a couple gym classes I've started getting feeling for you so if you wanna talk let me know.” Izzy’s heart skipped a beat, and a wide smile spread across her face. She had never been so happy before.

From that moment on, things changed. Frank and Izzy began dating, and they were officially boyfriend and girlfriend. It felt surreal and wonderful, a new chapter in their lives filled with the promise of shared moments and deepening connection. As they navigated their new relationship, Izzy couldn’t help but feel that all the anxieties and fears had been worth it for this newfound happiness.