Game, Set, Match

My childhood best friend and the school's resident bad boy made me confess my love to him fifty times before he would agree to date me.

After my 49th failed attempt, I gave up.

For my final attempt, I chose to love myself.

In a quiet corner of the campus, Carter Hayes, the brilliant chess prodigy who had recently skyrocketed to fame, pulled me into his arms, his voice laced with grievance:

"Maya, will you consider me now?"