storytime!! (part 1 idk?? fun reminiscing woo)

Mellow again!! Yes, it's in my profile, I love talking about my boyfriend 😭😭😭 In a previous post, I wrote about how insanely oblivious I was in not realizing that my best friend had a crush on me because I was so pragmatic and distrusting of him at the time. There were moments where he did whatever he did to impress me; beginner magic tricks, telling dad jokes, telling me facts about science, or letting me watch him play games. But there was one moment, 6 years ago that I still remember so well, between us. It only made me realize that I should've known sooner about how genuinely in love he is with me. (This was 6 years ago, back when I was literally suspicious of everything 😭 I'm no longer like that now LMAOOO) It was Math and Science Day, and prior to that, I'd just gotten my first pair of glasses. I was so self conscious because I was already bullied over other things, so having my new glasses will just add fuel to the fire. When I showed up to my class, everyone started calling me names such as "Pangit," "Lola," or "Nerd." I've never felt more embarrassed in my entire life, and thought about taking off my glasses. However I needed them to see properly, so I pushed through the morning hours. During lunchtime, my best friend saw me at the canteen and sat with me. He didn't even notice or asked about my glasses, he was just so happy to see and hang out with me. Being with him made me completely forget that I was even wearing them, and I've forgotten about the nicknames my classmates called me. It then came time for the school to gather at the gym and get some students to participate in the questionnaire. Me and my best friend didn't join, so we sat on the bleachers instead. As the questionnaire began, we continued the conversation as usual. That's when my classmates across us saw me and yelled my name out, making fun of me with my glasses. I think that's when my best friend finally noticed that I was wearing them, as he said, "Oh, I knew I felt something different about you today!" I remember responding to him, "Yeah. Just got them yesterday. I know I need them to see properly, but everyone says I look ugly." So instinctively, I took off my glasses and tried to covering them under my shirt. My defensive walls were all the way up, readily prepared to hear him call me hurtful names and make fun of me, just like everyone else did. Instead, he quickly put his hand over mine, stopping me from concealing my glasses, and said, "No, no. You look beautiful..." What? That was unexpected. I look up at him, and we just stared at each other for awhile. I remember how my inner thoughts were sprinting back and forth in panic and confusion.*What did he just say???* *Did he just call me beautiful???* *Why on Earth isn't he letting go???* This was CLEARLY not the scenario I was expecting to protect myself from. I couldn't formulate any response at all. For all I know, there was this rising warmth slowly radiating all over my body, and the feeling of his hand in mine. I stammered out nonsense, but finally managed to get my lips to form the word, "No." I think he knew I was flabbergasted by what he just said to me, so he smiled and repeated it again, adding, "I mean it! You should put them back on!" He then let's go of my hand and continues watching the questionnaire. As he's watching students answer one by one, I squint at him, trying to read him, processing what I've just heard. He was a blob at first, then I realized that I haven't put on my glasses yet. I finally put them back on and see a clear image of him, his thoughts preoccupied with science related questions. I get the chance to REALLY scowl at him hard. I asked myself so many questions in my mind, *Why did he say that?* *Did he really mean it?* *What was that feeling you felt while ago?* *Was he joking?* *Why did his hand feel so nice?* Yes, I was so confused that I was genuinely questioning on why his hand felt so nice. 😭😭😭 They were all unanswered, and I didn't want to overthink now, so I shook my head to completely clear out my head, and just went back to watching the students. After some time had passed, they proceeded with math questions. I wanted to try and solve them myself, so I attentively leaned forward to listen carefully. I became so preoccupied with solvings in my head, that I've forgotten that my best friend was sat right beside me. I turned around wanting to talk to him, but he was... staring at me?? He was smiling. What in the world was he doing? Was he secretly making fun of me with his inner thoughts?? I ignored that last thought, still slightly conflicted and preoccupied with what he said earlier. He didn't even seem to register that I've noticed him looking at me. I waved my hand in front of him, starting to giggle. "Uh, hello? What are you doing?" Well, that seemed to do the trick. He immediately snapped back to reality, but didn't hear my question. "I said, 'What are you doing?'" He stuttered a bit before answering. I was confused, but patiently waited for his reply. I remember noticing that his face turned a slightly different colour... Then he finally said, "Oh, I was just looking at you so that I can picture you with glasses on. I mean, remember your glasses. No, I mean, remember your face better with glasses on." Uh, okay, then? What an unsusual way of saying "You wear glasses!" Anyways, I didn't think much of it back then, so all I said was,. "Alright then." and we had such a great time that day! Years later, my boyfriend and I recall that memory, and then it hit me... like a brick wall attached to a massive truck. And now, whenever I look back on this, I giggle, get all kilig, the proceed to smack my head multiple times. LADIES, PLEASE, I am a great example of what NOT to do. My mindset has improved over the years, and is so much better now, compared to before. But... UGH, THERE WERE BRIGHT GREEN FLAG NEON SIGNS AND I WAS SO STUPIDLY OBLIVIOUS ASF TO THEM. I SHOULD'VE REALIZED IT SOONER 😭🙏💔 GIRLS, IF YOU SEE BRIGHT GREEN FLAG NEON SIGNS, DON'T BE LIKE ME. BE AWARE, STAY PRESENT, DON'T OVERTHINK THE WORST IN EVERYTHING :D 🫶🫶🫶