Charlie slid into her usual seat in astronomy class, her mind clouded with hesitation. After the conversation with Peyton the night before, she wasn't sure what to expect. Would he sit next to her? Keep his distance? Was he upset? She wished she could stop replaying the moment when she'd told him she needed time, her voice trembling as if she didn't quite believe it herself.
When Peyton entered the classroom, holding two steaming cups of coffee, Charlie's heart skipped a beat. He didn't hesitate, walking right up to her as though nothing had changed and placing one of the cups on her desk without a word. He sat down beside her, his attention immediately shifting to the whiteboard at the front of the room.
Charlie stole a glance at him, her stomach twisting. The coffee smelled familiar, and when she took a sip, she realized it was made exactly the way she liked it. She wanted to say something, to thank him or acknowledge his kindness, but the words lodged in her throat.
Class passed in a blur. Charlie couldn't focus on the lecture, not with Peyton sitting so close, his quiet confidence rattling her. When it was over, he left quickly, blending into the throng of students filling out the door. She stood to throw away the empty coffee cup but paused when she noticed writing scrawled in black sharpie on the side:
Astronomy room. 5:00. Last date.
Her breath caught. Her first instinct was to toss the cup, pretend she hadn't seen the message, but instead, she clutched it tightly in her hand. It felt like a lifeline tethering her to something she wasn't sure she could handle.
***
The rest of her classes passed in a haze. Back in her room, she sat at her desk, attempting to focus on calculus homework, but her thoughts kept drifting to Peyton's note. What did he mean by last date? Was he giving her an out? Or was this his way of pushing for an answer she wasn't ready to give?
Her feelings churned inside her. She cared deeply for Peyton—his warmth, his humor, the way he seemed to truly see her. But those same feelings terrified her. What if she wasn't enough for him? What if she let him down? And worst of all, what if he broke her heart?
Pushing the thoughts aside, Charlie decided to get ready. She showered, letting the hot water wash away her tension, and slipped into fresh clothes. She chose darker makeup than usual, painting her eyes in smoky hues that mirrored her conflicted emotions. Even as she dried her hair and stared at her reflection, she felt a pang of doubt.
The coffee cup she couldn't seem to throw away still sat on her dresser, mocking her indecision.
***
Outside, snow fell softly, blanketing the campus in silence. Charlie walked briskly to the astronomy building, the chill biting at her cheeks. The hallways were dimly lit, and she hesitated in front of the classroom door, her hand resting on the knob. The clock ticked closer to five, each passing second a drumbeat in her chest. Finally, she pushed the door open.
The room was transformed. Fairy lights hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden glow, and a soft melody played in the background. It was a stark contrast to the harsh fluorescents and cluttered desks she was used to.
On her desk was a crumpled but smoothed-out note. She recognized it immediately—the one Peyton had written to her on the second day of class. She picked it up, a smile tugging at her lips as she read the familiar handwriting.
When she finished, she looked up to see Peyton standing at the front of the room. He wore a short-sleeved button-up and dress pants, his usual casual demeanor replaced with something more serious, more earnest. The stitches on his arm caught her eye, and she flinched at the sight, a reminder of the danger he'd faced just days ago.
"Do you know why our last date is in this stuffy classroom?" Peyton asked, his voice steady but soft.
Charlie shook her head. "No."
"This," he said, gesturing to the room around them, "is where we met for the first time."
The memory came rushing back. Charlie had been a bundle of nerves that day, sitting at the front of the room ten minutes early. Peyton had burst in, three minutes late, tripping over his own feet. His messy blond hair had fallen into his face as he huffed his way to the nearest empty seat—right next to her.
"I remember. You were so late," Charlie said, laughing softly.
"Three and a half minutes," Peyton corrected with mock indignation. "And you were even later than me later in the week. But from that day on, I just knew we were going to rule the world."
Charlie smiled, but it faltered as Peyton stepped closer, his expression shifting from playful to serious. "You said you needed time, and I'm giving you all the time you need. But I need you to know how much I care about you. This past week has been one of the best of my life. I've learned so much about you—your love for mint green, your obsession with pie over cake, the way you get that little wrinkle between your eyebrows when you're concentrating.
"I don't want to pressure you, Charlie. I just want you to know that whatever happens, I'm here. I'm all in."
His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning.
Charlie stood slowly, walking toward him until they were just inches apart. Her heart pounded in her chest, her fears and doubts clamoring for attention. But as she looked into Peyton's eyes, filled with hope and vulnerability, she felt something else: clarity.
"I haven't been sure the last few days," she admitted, her voice trembling. "There's so much happening, and I feel so behind. But after everything, I think I know what I want."

YOU ARE READING
Seven Dates [Completed]
RomanceCharlie and Peyton. Two college frienDs that haven't explored their feelings for each other. When Peyton doesn't think Charlie likes him back, he proposes the idea of seven dates, and after that Charlie can make up her mind if she wants him or no...