The Note that Changed Everything

Okay, so this happened last week in homeroom. We have a new student in our class, let's call him Alex. He sits right next to me and we kind of just nod at each other but haven't really spoken much beyond the obligatory 'hello.' Now, my friend Casey has been trying to get me to talk to him for ages because she thinks he’s nice, but I’m honestly just not that into it. Anyway, on Monday morning, as usual, there was a note from our math teacher left on the board with today's homework assignment. But when I got to class, Alex had already put his backpack and notebook down and started reading. I noticed he was holding another piece of paper in his hand that definitely wasn't there before. So here’s where things get a little shady. On Wednesday, Casey asked me if I saw the note about homework from our math teacher on Monday since she didn’t have her book with her to write it down at the time. I thought for a moment and remembered seeing Alex holding what could’ve been that paper when he came in. But then something silly happened, I decided not to mention anything about him having the note because honestly, it would've just made me look like an amateur snooper and Casey might think there's more going on between us than there is. So I just told her I didn’t see a note either. Yeah, not exactly my finest moment. I know it’s such a small thing in the grand scheme of things, but ever since then, every time I look over at Alex during class, I can’t help but think about how easily this lie came to me and if it even mattered that much anyway. It feels petty now, especially considering everything else going on with school, finals coming up, and trying not to let distractions like this take my focus away. I'm starting to wonder though, if Casey keeps asking about the homework note or Alex starts talking more in class, am I really the asshole for keeping quiet? Maybe it’s just another silly high school thing that’ll blow over soon enough. But until then, it sits with me every time I see that piece of paper in his hand.