Trying to live #Wattys2024

Chapter 19 (Edited)

Cam looked at me and inserted the key into the lock. He opened the door, and we were greeted by a profound silence.

I glanced around, checking both the left and right sides of the entrance.

No one was in plain sight.

I might have imagined the light on the third floor.

Cam had truly helped and saved me from an awkward confrontation.

I turned fully to him, grabbing his arm with my free hand. Cam met my gaze, his eyes sparkling with joy. It was impossible not to smile back at him.

Seconds ticked by as we stood there, exchanging the biggest smiles we'd had in days. I couldn't believe how much Cam had made me smile recently. It wasn't that I hadn't smiled or laughed before, but those moments with him felt more genuine.

I felt an overwhelming sense of happiness.

I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could utter a word, another voice broke the spell. "Yo, Cam, I knew it was you! We're heading out. Wanna join us?"

The voice shattered the moment. My eyes found the source, and I saw Henry standing at the top of the stairs, flanked by his girlfriend, Juliette. Behind them were Priya, Jake, Franny, and, lastly, Scott.

Henry wore a crisp white collared shirt with the top two buttons undone and black trousers. The other boys mirrored this look, with Jake in all black and Scott in black and blue. The girls were dressed in elegant, fancy outfits.

It was clear they were heading out for the evening. Priya and Jake, though not romantically involved, were part of this group outing. In the past, we had all done similar outings together, even if not everyone was dating.

I had been trying to avoid this confrontation, but now here they were, right in front of me.

As they descended the stairs, Henry, who had been leading the group, was now the last to come down. He looked almost regal, descending the stairs as if he were a king with his court.

When our eyes met, he stopped abruptly. I was probably the only one who noticed that he stumbled slightly on the last stair before he saw me.

Perhaps only a fallen queen could make a king falter.

I hadn't seen Henry for a while. The last time I encountered him was in my surreal dreams—though I wasn't sure if those dreams were real or imagined.

Now, standing in front of him, one thought crossed my mind: he looked undeniably handsome.

My thoughts were racing. My day had been filled with emotional highs and lows, tears, laughter, and memories. Now this unexpected encounter?

I felt like laughing and crying simultaneously.

It was as if the earth should just swallow me up, offering some respite from this chaos.

The more I looked at Henry, the more uneasy I felt, and the stronger my urge to escape became.

What do you feel when you look at me?

Hmm, nothing but unrest.

No, be serious. His laughter echoed in my mind.

Then tell me what you feel first.

I feel happy. I feel like I have everything I ever wanted. All my concerns and worries vanish, and the only thing that matters in this world is you.

You love me this much?

Arms encircled my waist.

You're the only person I've ever loved this deeply. No one else will ever receive the love I have for you because I am yours. I will always be yours. Now, tell me what you feel.