His name was Nathaniel

8

Weeks passed, and the secret meetings between Adaliya and Nathaniel became more frequent, more daring. They met in the cover of night, away from prying eyes, stealing moments together that felt like they belonged to a world all their own. Their bond deepened with each encounter, the connection between them growing stronger, more intense.

At first, their meetings had been cautious, both of them unsure of how far they could push the boundaries of their friendship. But as time went on, those boundaries began to blur. Adaliya found herself looking forward to their late-night rendezvous more than anything else, her heart racing with anticipation every time she sneaked out of her grandparents' house to see him. She started to put more thought into what she wore when they met—choosing outfits that were cute, stylish, and just revealing enough to make her feel confident, hoping that Nathaniel might notice.

And he did notice. Nathaniel was struggling to keep his emotions in check, wrestling with feelings he had never experienced before. He wasn't used to being this close to anyone, let alone a girl like Adaliya. She was different from anyone he had ever known—bold, fearless, and full of life in a way that drew him in and made him want to be close to her. But that closeness terrified him. He wasn't sure how to handle the emotions that surged through him whenever she was near, the way his heart would pound, his thoughts would race, and he would find himself staring at her for just a little too long.

He had never had a girlfriend, never even entertained the idea. His life had always been about following the rules, keeping his head down, and doing what was expected of him. There had been no room for romance, no time to explore the confusing world of relationships. But with Adaliya, everything was different. She made him feel things he didn't understand, feelings that both excited and scared him. He tried to push those feelings down, to keep his distance, but it was becoming harder and harder to resist the pull she had on him.

Their meetings became more intimate, the tension between them growing with each encounter. They shared stories, secrets, and dreams, their conversations often lasting until the early hours of the morning. But there was always an unspoken question lingering in the air, a question neither of them was brave enough to address: what exactly were they to each other?

Tonight, they had decided to have a picnic in a secluded spot not far from Nathaniel's mansion, a place where they knew they wouldn't be disturbed. The night was cool, the sky clear and full of stars as they sat on a blanket spread out on the grass, surrounded by trees that whispered in the breeze. A lantern cast a warm glow over their small picnic, the light flickering softly as they shared a meal of simple sandwiches, fruit, and homemade lemonade.

Adaliya looked stunning tonight, even more so than usual. She had chosen a soft, floral dress that hugged her in all the right places, her hair loose and flowing down her back. Nathaniel couldn't take his eyes off her, his heart pounding in his chest as he tried to focus on their conversation instead of the way she made him feel. But it was becoming increasingly difficult, especially as the night wore on and the atmosphere between them grew more charged.

They talked and laughed, enjoying each other's company, but there was an underlying tension that neither of them could ignore. As the night deepened, the space between them on the blanket seemed to shrink, until they were sitting close enough that their shoulders brushed against each other. Every touch, every glance felt electric, the air between them thick with unspoken desire.

Nathaniel's mind was a whirlwind of emotions. He wanted to reach out and touch her, to pull her close and kiss her like he had been imagining for weeks. But he was terrified—terrified of what it would mean, of crossing a line that he wasn't sure he could come back from. Yet, he couldn't stop himself from leaning in, drawn to her like a moth to a flame.