3/5

3 never

paid much attention

to 5 when

they were together

hanging out

with friends or in class.

To him, she

was quiet and tough and

never let

you look at her for

long before

she’d glare back at you.

He thought she

liked to be alone,

away from

other numbers like

0 was.

Except 5 wasn’t

cold – more like

intimidating.

The first time

3 really noticed

5 was one lunch they

ate outside.

after the others left,

she stayed there

to feed a pair of

squirrels when

she thought no one was

there to see.

The next class they had

with each other,

he looked at her in

a new light,

and of course she just

glared at

him like she always

did, but this

time he smiled back.