's

o Zara's apartment

ps, pressing there like I could h

to slow down. I let myself in with the spare key she'd given me ages

ts and an old band tee, scrolling through her pho

he second the d

ered like confetti. "You're glowing. Like, actually glowin

for a second before peeking through my fingers. "He kissed me. Just on

d to hug. "DETAILS. NOW. I'm living vicariously

e delirious-and pulled my knees

rns floating everywhere, city lights for miles, white tablecloths, tiny flowers in bowls... it looked like something out of a dream.

chest. "Romantic

sion, the real one. So I told him about the poetry shoebox, the children's book dreams, and how the Caleb thing mad

wly, eyes soft

sking for it back. He said he likes giving things second chances, but sometimes forgets to do it for himself. And last night, talking to me... it

I'm going to cry. That's the s

ories. He's scared of heights, too. We laughed so hard about that. And the food was amazing, but honestly? I barely tasted it. I was too busy watchi

nd squeezed my han

sly. And then he stepped in so slowly, like he was giving me every second to change my mind. When his lips touched mine... it wasn't hungry or desperate. It was gentle. Tender. Like he was holding something fragile and precious. I could feel his heartbeat through the space bet

m deceased. You're living in a romanc

way-hands in his pockets, looking back once with this smile that made my knees wea

t of this, Rae. Every sweet word, every careful touch, every mom

face in her shoulder. "I'm sca

re sleeping over tonight. No arguments. We're staying up late, eating junk, watching terribl

se not to tease me too much when I star

m the closet. "I'm making hot chocolate. Extra marshmallows. An

y movies where the leads hate each other until they don't, but I barely watched. Every few minutes, I'd touch my

credits rolled. Zara yawn

u o

feel... hopeful. Like maybe this is the start of somet

never he messages you next-you're going to walk into whatever he plans with your head high and

hin, eyes heavy but happy. "Tha

s and dream about that man. I want to hear a

ate and starlight still on my tongue,

uldn't come

rst, then return to Zara's place. When I

borhoods with manicured lawns and an

nside quietly, hoping to sneak into my room an

oices. From t

ful laugh. And

al

pau

as some

and cleared my thro

, Mom

body stoppe

soul lef