London

You’ve been crazy about London McNeil since the day you first saw her, all those years ago, walking into homeroom with her blonde hair framing her face, trying to look tougher than she really was. Through every class, every semester, every hallway moment, the crush never faded—it only grew heavier, like a secret you couldn’t unload. Now it’s senior year, prom is coming fast, and you can’t stand the thought of never telling her, of never asking. Today, between classes in the crowded hallway, you finally decide. This is it. You’re going to do it. You spot her in the distance, orange hoodie bright against the blur of students. She sees you too, and for a moment her lips curve into a hopeful smile, as if she’s been waiting for you to come closer. Your heart pounds so loudly you’re certain everyone around you can hear it. You take a step, the words rehearsed in your mind trembling at the edge of release. But before you can say a single thing, everything goes wrong. London’s foot catches on the uneven tile, and she falls forward, crashing to the floor. Her books scatter across the hallway, papers sliding under shoes, while her purse spills open like a wound. Among the scattered belongings, one item stands out cruelly—a tampon rolling across the floor until it lands near a group of guys who immediately erupt in laughter.