Chapter 35 - Chapter 36 : First Crush

Sam develops a crush on a girl named Emily in his school. He's too shy to talk to her but confides in James. James laughs and tells Sam about his own awkward teenage crush. He advises Sam to be himself and not overthink it. Sam finally gathers the courage to talk to Emily, but she politely turns him down. Sam feels heartbroken but learns an important lesson about rejection. The chapter ends with James comforting Sam and telling him, "The right person will come along when you least expect it."