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Weeks passed quickly, almost too quickly. School was moving fast, and somehow my days felt fuller than ever. Through all of it, me and Denzel had become really close. We texted often—sometimes about school, sometimes random things—but it always felt easy.
He wasn't the type to talk endlessly, but he listened. Really listened. And the questions he asked made me feel seen in a way that surprised me every time.
Rav still appeared here and there, quiet and steady like he always was. One evening, he came up to me with that calm expression I'd gotten used to. I didn't think anything unusual was coming—until he stepped a little closer and, without much warning, kissed me.
It wasn't forced, but I didn't expect it.
I just stood there, stunned. Not angry, just… surprised.
And deep down, I knew it wasn't what I wanted. Rav cared about me, but he wasn't ready for anything serious, and the feelings he had weren't fully clear—not even to him.
I walked away without saying much, trying not to overthink it even though I did.
Lily found out, and the look she gave me said everything. She wasn't excited at all, just worried in that older-sister way she had taken up recently.
A few days later, Denzel invited me over for a movie.
I told him After was my favorite, so that's what we watched.
We sat close, the room quiet except for the movie playing. After a while, I felt his gaze shift toward me. It was soft—gentle, almost questioning.
When I looked back at him, it felt like the whole room paused.
And then it happened.
He leaned in and kissed me.
The kiss was soft, warm, nothing rushed.
Butterflies rose in my stomach in a way I hadn't felt before. Not with Kade's overwhelming pressure. Not with Rav's unsure kiss.
This one felt… safe.
Like something unfolding naturally.
When he pulled back, he gave me small reassuring looks, making sure I was okay.
When the movie ended, he walked me back to my dorm. We didn't talk about the kiss, but the silence felt comfortable, almost peaceful.
Later, when I lay in bed, all I could think about was that moment—how unexpected it was, and how right it felt.
With those thoughts circling in my head, I finally drifted into sleep.
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