Hi-School Romance #65

In "Schoolboy Crush!", Stella and Ralph begin their honeymoon at Three Star Lodge, unaware that Ralph once shared the place with his late high school sweetheart, Tina. As memories of the past weigh on Ralph, Stella finds herself drawn to the lingering echo of her own long-forgotten crush on her high school history teacher. When Ralph goes missing during a hike, Stella steps in to help search—her own buried feelings unexpectedly guiding her to his rescue.

In "I Was Ashamed of My Parents," high school student Lucia struggles with her feelings for Dick after realizing how deeply she’s embarrassed by her Italian immigrant parents. When Dick meets them, Lucia fears he sees them as "poor, stupid foreigners," leading her to break things off—only to later realize her friends think she judged them too. After seeing her father’s warmth and respect among his coworkers, Lucia hosts a party to make amends, where Dick unexpectedly shows up, offering a chance at reconciliation.

In "Wrong Prescription for Love," Nina is determined to focus on her nursing career, turning down George’s romantic advances with a firm "I have no time for romance." But despite her resolve, their bond grows stronger—until a job offer in California forces her to choose between her ambitions and the man she loves. When an unexpected accident at the airport pulls her back to her small-town life, Nina realizes she may not need to leave to make a difference. The story captures the quiet turning points that reshape hearts, with a tender, heartfelt rhythm that lingers long after the final page.

In "I Was a Failure on My First Date," high school sophomore Elyse tries too hard to impress senior Clark on their first outing, dressing and speaking in ways she thinks will seem mature. But Clark isn’t fooled—he tells her he’d preferred her genuine, unguarded self. When Elyse admits she was faking it all along, the moment becomes a quiet lesson in authenticity.