Griffin sat on her bed, her heart fluttering from the unexpected Facebook message. The soft glow of her phone illuminated her face as she reread Zephyr's message.

Zephyr: Thank you, Hayes.

She hesitated, fingers trembling over the keyboard, before typing a response.

Griffin: Hi Zephyr! You're welcome :) How was your day?

Seconds later, the typing indicator appeared, and Zephyr's reply followed.

Zephyr: Hey! It was good, thanks. Just a bit busy with assignments. How about you?

Griffin smiled, feeling the excitement of their growing connection.

Griffin: Same here. School's been pretty busy. By the way, why did you call me Hayes?

Zephyr: I noticed your friends called you Griffin, but I like Hayes. It suits you.

Griffin felt her cheeks warm up again. No one had ever made her dislike for her second name seem so insignificant before.

Griffin: Well, I guess I can start liking it if you call me that :)

Zephyr: Haha, deal! So, tell me more about yourself, Hayes.

As the night went on, they chatted, sharing interests, favorite books, and quirks. Griffin was totally hooked by Zephyr's stories, her detailed descriptions, and her lively energy for life.

The next day at school, Griffin's heart raced when she saw Zephyr across the courtyard. They made eye contact and smiled, but neither approached. It felt like their talks were a secret world only online, a special bond they treasured in between classes and after school.

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During lunch, Griffin's friends Quade and Kaiser noticed her change in behavior. Quade nudged her..

"Hey, you seem really happy lately. Is it because of a certain new girl?" Quade teased, winking.

Griffin blushed but couldn't help smiling. "Maybe."

Kaiser grinned and leaned in. "Have you two talked yet?"

"Not really... Just messaging online," Griffin admitted, glancing over at where Zephyr was sitting with her friends.

"Well, it’s a start," Quade said, giving her a pat on the back. "Just take it slow."

Later that evening, Griffin and Zephyr continued their conversation on Messenger.

Zephyr: You looked really cute today :)

Griffin felt her heart skip a beat.

Griffin: Thanks! You too. Maybe we could talk in person sometime?

There was a brief pause before Zephyr replied.

Zephyr: I'd like that. But maybe we can keep it special for now, just between us.

Griffin smiled, feeling a warm sense of understanding and mutual affection.

Griffin: Okay, just between us. For now :)

And so, their days continued with shy smiles and silent acknowledgments at school, while their nights were filled with laughter and deep conversations online. Griffin found herself falling for Zephyr more each day, realizing that sometimes, the best connections start quietly and grow in the most unexpected, beautiful ways.

The next night, Griffin sat on her bed, her phone untouched beside her. Despite Zephyr's cheerful texts, her mind felt heavy with puzzling thoughts. Something wasn't right, but she couldn't figure out what.

After a few moments of thinking, Griffin grabbed her phone and opened the messaging app. She hesitated before typing. Finally, she messaged Zephyr.

Griffin: Hey Zephyr, can we talk?

Within minutes, Zephyr replied.

Zephyr: Sure, Hayes. What do you want to talk about?

Griffin took a deep breath and typed out her feelings, explaining how she was feeling overwhelmed and unsure about continuing their communication. She apologized, feeling guilty for potentially hurting Zephyr.

Zephyr's response came quickly

Zephyr: Hayes, I understand. But can we meet in person to talk about this? I want to understand what's going on with you.

Griffin hesitated, but eventually agreed. They decided to meet at the seawall, a quiet spot where they could talk privately.

When they met, Griffin noticed the worry in Zephyr's eyes. She shared her feelings, telling him how she felt stressed by everything going on and confused about her emotions.

Zephyr listened quietly, then hesitated before sharing something unexpected. She took a deep breath before speaking

"Since the day we met in the library, I had a crush on you. Your smile, your presence... they just make me feel something," Zephyr confessed nervously to Griffin.

Griffin's heart skipped a beat, her own feelings suddenly becoming clear. She looked into Zephyr's eyes, seeing the sincerity and affection reflected in them.

Griffin: Zephyr, I... I had a crush on you too. I just didn't know how to handle it.

Their conversation shifted, becoming more open and honest than ever before. They talked about their fears, their hopes, and their budding feelings for each other.

That night they watched the waves crash against the seawall, Griffin felt a sense of peace. She knew that whatever happened next, she had Zephyr by her side, and that was all that mattered.