Awakening Hearts *ONGOING*

Chapter VI: Moonlit Reverie

Date: Sunday, April 16

- KEITH'S POV -

I couldn't believe my eyes as I found myself inside the ginger-haired stranger from the café's house, lying on his bed, side by side with him. How did this happen? It was a whirlwind of events that led us here, and I couldn't help but mentally talk to myself, questioning the choices that had brought us to this unexpected moment.

You must be wondering how did we ended up here? Well, let me explain.

The day had passed in a whirlwind of emotions and moments that felt like scenes from a dream. After my encounter with the ginger-haired stranger at the café, the rest of my shift seemed to blur together in a mix of excitement and distraction. I found myself lost in thoughts of our conversation, the connection we shared, and the potential future that lay before us.

As evening fell and my shift finally came to an end, I stepped out of the café, the vibrant colors of the setting sun painting the sky above. My mind was still abuzz with the memories of the day, and my feet carried me along the familiar streets towards my apartment.

Lost in my thoughts, I absentmindedly rummaged through my bag, searching for the key to my room. But as I stood at the entrance of the building, the realization hit me like a lightning bolt—I had left the key inside my room. Panic gripped me momentarily as I mentally retraced my steps, confirming that I must have left it on the table while getting ready earlier.

Letting out an exasperated sigh, I leaned against the wall, contemplating my predicament. It seemed almost comical that after such an eventful day, I would find myself locked out of my own room. But deep down, I couldn't help but wonder if this twist of fate was meant to be, a gentle nudge guiding me towards an unexpected path.

As I stood there, embarrassed and flustered by my absentmindedness, there was a tap on my shoulder that sent a jolt of surprise through me. I turned around, it was the stranger from the café earlier, my cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and anticipation as I met his curious gaze. His presence alone seemed to quell the rising panic within me, offering a lifeline amidst the self-inflicted predicament.

I couldn't help but notice the details of the stranger's presence—his tall stature that seemed to tower over me, his striking ginger hair that framed his face, and his piercing green eyes that held a captivating intensity.

"Hey, are you alright?" the stranger asked, his voice carrying genuine concern.

I couldn't help but feel a twinge of embarrassment at having to admit my forgetfulness. Sheepishly, I explained, "I, uh, managed to lock myself out of my room. Left the key inside, can you believe it?"

His expression softened, and there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. His understanding gaze eased my embarrassment, as if he recognized the all-too-human nature of such forgetfulness.

"The name's Pico, by the way." He said as he offered his hand to me.

I took his hand and shook it gently, "I'm Keith, nice to meet you."

"Well, why don't you come over to my place?" he suggested, his voice warm and reassuring. "We can figure something out together."

The offer caught me off guard, and my mind raced with conflicting emotions. I felt a mixture of gratitude for his kindness, curiosity about what this unexpected turn of events might bring, and a fluttering of nerves at the thought of spending more time with him. I hesitated for a moment, my words catching in my throat as I weighed the options before me.

A blush crept onto my cheeks, further betraying my internal struggle. I managed to muster a nod, my voice carrying a tinge of shy excitement. "Alright, let's do it. Lead the way."