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The days that followed felt soft in a way I hadn't experienced in a long time.
Me and Denzel grew even closer, slowly but surely, without rushing or forcing anything.
I started visiting him more often.
Sometimes we watched movies in his place, sitting side by side, the kind of quiet that didn't need to be filled. Other times, we walked around campus together—nothing dramatic, just steps matching, conversations blending with laughter, and those moments where he looked at me like he genuinely enjoyed my presence.
We weren't dating yet.
And somehow… that made it even sweeter.
We were taking our time. Feeling the moment. Letting things grow the way they wanted to.
One evening, Lily sat beside me on my bed, her legs crossed, her hair tied up in a loose bun. She had that look—half serious, half protective.
"Maya," she said, tapping my arm lightly, "you know you can't choose two people, right?"
I blinked.
"I'm not trying to."
"I know," she sighed, soft but firm. "But you need to be sure. Rav cares about you, but caring isn't everything. And if your heart is somewhere else… you'll hurt him without meaning to."
Her words stung a little—not because they were harsh, but because they were true.
I took a slow breath, letting myself finally acknowledge what I'd been avoiding.
Rav and I… it was never a sure thing.
It was familiar. Safe.
A kind of comfort that came from knowing someone liked me quietly, without asking for too much.
But it wasn't what I wanted.
With Denzel…
The feeling was different.
Real. Growing. Stronger every day.
When I thought about him, it wasn't confusion or fear.
It was warmth.
Excitement.
A quiet certainty settling inside me.
I looked at Lily and nodded.
"I know who I want," I said softly.
She raised her brows. "And?"
"Denzel."
The name felt right in my mouth, like it finally had somewhere to belong.
Lily smiled—one of those knowing, proud smiles she gives only when she's truly happy for me.
"Well," she said, nudging me lightly, "then go for what feels real."
And in that moment, I decided.
No more second-guessing.
No more confusion.
My heart had chosen.
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