My Paper Planes

The first day of the research camp started like any other academic event—rows of unfamiliar faces, the murmur of small talk, the occasional clatter of chairs as people settled into their seats. The air-conditioning was too cold, the lighting too bright, and I was already regretting wearing a short-sleeved blouse. I wasn't here to make friends. I wasn't even that excited about the camp itself. It was just another step forward, another achievement to add to my growing list, another reason for my professors to say, "Good job, Chantel."

I adjusted my lanyard and glanced at the other participants. Some were hunched over notebooks, scribbling who-knows-what. Others were tapping away at their phones. I was somewhere in between, shifting in my seat, waiting for the first session to start, half-listening as Marian, my friend beside me, rambled about how she was already bored.

Then she walked in.

I didn't even realize I was staring at first. It was just a split-second pause, a moment where my gaze locked onto something—or rather, someone—unexpected. She was wearing glasses, the thin metal frames resting perfectly on her nose, giving her a look of quiet intelligence. Her dark hair was tied back loosely, strands falling free, framing her face in a way that made her seem effortlessly put together.

I poked Marian, still watching as the girl searched for a seat a few rows ahead of us. "Hey," I muttered. "That girl's kinda cute."

Marian followed my gaze, then smirked. "Ooooh. Crush at first sight?"

I rolled my eyes. "It's not a crush. I… she has a nice vibe."

"A nice vibe," she repeated, mocking me. "So what, you're just gonna admire her from afar like some protagonist in a coming-of-age film?"

I huffed. "I don't even know her name. It's not like it matters. We're here for three days, and then we go back to our normal lives. It's not like I'm going to meet her again after this camp."

She raised an eyebrow, an idea already forming behind her mischievous eyes.

"Hold on," she said, digging into her bag. I frowned as she pulled out a loose sheet of paper.

"…What are you doing?"

She didn't answer, already folding the paper into sharp, crisp creases. I watched in horror as a plane started to take shape in her hands.

"Oh my god, stop," I hissed, already reaching to grab it. "What the hell are you—"

She pulled back, holding the finished plane out of my reach with a victorious grin. "C'mon, it'll be fun."

"Fun?" I echoed, panic creeping in. "We're at a research camp, not middle school!"

She ignored me and scribbled something on the paper.

"Are you single? Yes or No."

"Are you gay? Yes or No."

She held it up, showing off her neat handwriting.

I nearly choked. "Are you INSANE?"

She waggled her eyebrows. "I mean, you did say she was cute."

I shook my head aggressively. "NO. Absolutely not. That's weird, and awkward, and—"

Too late. She had already aimed and, before I could stop her, sent the plane soaring across the room.

I sucked in a sharp breath, watching in horror as the paper glided in a near-perfect arc—straight toward the girl. It hit the edge of her table before skidding to a stop near her hand.

Oh no. Oh no.

She blinked at it. Slowly, she picked it up, unfolding it with careful fingers.

I shrank into my chair, heat rushing up my neck. I could already feel secondhand embarrassment settling in as if the sheer weight of my mortification would make me sink through the floor.

She stared at the message.

Then, without hesitation, she grabbed a pen.

I held my breath as she checked the boxes. She folded the paper neatly, then turned in her seat, scanning the room.

Oh my god. She's looking.

Her gaze landed on us.

I wanted to die.

Still silent, she extended her arm, holding the plane out. Marian nudged me, urging me to take it, but I shook my head furiously. YOU take it! I mouthed.

But my friend only grinned wider and shoved my shoulder. With no other choice, I reached out, my fingers brushing against the paper as I took it from her.

She said nothing. Just muttered, "Here," before turning back to whatever she had been doing.

I barely registered my friend's laughter as I unfolded the paper, my hands a little shaky.

Single? ✔ Yes

Gay? ✔ No

I exhaled through my nose. "Well. There you go. Case closed."

Marian cackled. "Aww, too bad. But that doesn't mean you can't change her mind~"

I shot her a look. "Not how that works."

"Okay, but what if—"

"Nope." I shoved the paper into my bag, determined to move on. "That's it."

Except, of course, it wasn't.

I told myself I wasn't thinking about her.

Which was a total lie.

The next morning, I walked into the session with a strange anticipation buzzing under my skin. My brain tried to justify it—maybe I was looking forward to the next research discussion, or perhaps I was just in a good mood—but deep down, I knew the truth.

I was scanning the room.

And then I saw her.

She was sitting two rows ahead, her head tilted slightly downward as she read through a handout. Unlike yesterday, she wasn't wearing glasses. Her hair was tucked behind her ear, making her profile more visible. She was sitting next to a girl, whom I assumed was her friend. I heard the girl call her Lia. A pretty name, if I say so myself.

She didn't look in my direction. Not even once.

I wasn't even sure what I wanted. Acknowledgment? A nod? A quick glance to say, Oh, it's you, the weird paper plane girl?

But nothing happened.

I stayed quiet while pinning for her the whole day, hoping to get a glimpse of her.

Then came the last day of camp, and at this point, I had accepted that I wasn't going to speak to her again.

Or, at least, that's what I thought—until Marian dragged me across the room.

"Wh—what are you doing?" I hissed.

"We're taking a picture," she said, matter-of-factly, pulling me toward Lia.

I felt my stomach lurch. "Why?"

"Because you're a coward and won't talk to her otherwise."

"You're insane, she's straight!"

I barely had time to protest before we were standing right in front of her. Lia glanced up, looking mildly confused, as my friend blurted out, "Hi, my friend here wanted to take a photo with you. Is that alright?"

Lia blinked. I could see the gears turning in her head as if she were debating whether or not to agree. Then, finally, she stood up.

My heart did something weird; I felt as if my face was burning, and I was getting lightheaded.

I stood next to her as my friend took the photo with her phone. It was quick. A flash, a click.

I was too flustered to strike a pose. Then it was over.

I said thank you and ran towards our shared room.

Just like that, I won't meet her again.

Or so I thought.