It happened in a hallway.
Not some cute, clean place from a movie. It was that dusty corridor behind the broadcast studio — dim light, dripping AC, one flickering bulb that always looked like it was about to die.
Angela stood with her arms folded, her back resting on the wall. She had just submitted a test and wasn't even thinking about Peter — until she saw him walking down that same hallway like the universe sent him.
Peter.
Slim build. Dark skin. Calm face. Headphones hanging from his neck. He had this way of watching people like he could see straight into them, even when he wasn't talking.
He stood beside her, arms folded too. Their arms brushed slightly. She felt it.
They didn't say anything for a moment. Just silence. But not the awkward kind. The kind that felt like something was about to happen.
Peter was the guy that never tried anything. Never flirted, never said too much. Just looked — in that deep, quiet way that made her heartbeat loud. They'd been working together for two weeks on a class project. Every night they spent together after prep, the silence had grown thicker. Something was changing.
"You talk too much," he said quietly, staring ahead.
Angela raised a brow. "And you stare too much."
Peter turned slightly, lips curving. "I'm trying to figure out what's going on in your head."
She looked at him, eyes locked. For the first time, it felt like they were alone — really alone. Even though other students walked past, the world felt paused.
Peter stepped a little closer. Not too close. Just enough that their hands brushed — just barely.
Angela didn't move.
He reached out and tucked one braid behind her ear. Her heart dropped. Her body stayed still, but inside? She was shaking.
"I'm not supposed to want you," Peter said softly.
Her lips parted. "Then don't."
He smiled again. But it wasn't playful this time. "Too late."
There was a long silence. Just breath. Just heartbeats.
Then he leaned forward, like he was about to kiss her.
But he stopped.
"I want to kiss you," he said, his voice lower. "Right now. So bad."
Angela's stomach flipped.
"But I won't," he added quickly. "Because if we start now, it might mess everything up."
Angela blinked. Her throat felt tight.
"Why does it feel like something's already started?"
Peter nodded slowly. "Because it has."
Then he pulled back. Not because he wanted to. But because he had to.
And that's when he said it. The line she never forgot.
"If you still feel like this when you're in final year…
We'll talk. No pressure. No rush. Just… us."
Angela nodded.
They both knew what they felt.
But they also knew they weren't ready.
Not yet.
So they walked away.
Not because they didn't want each other.
But because sometimes, you walk away from what you want — just to see if it'll still be there when it truly matters.