Brielle sat in her dorm room, her eyes flicking between her phone and the clock on the wall. The hands seemed to move in slow motion, each tick stretching the minutes longer. Dimitri's faculty meeting was happening now, the one where he would broach the subject of their relationship to the department head. Her nerves were frayed, and her mind raced with possibilities—both good and bad.
She had spent the last hour trying to distract herself by writing in the leather-bound notebook Dimitri had given her, but her thoughts kept drifting back to him. What was happening in that room? How was Dimitri handling the conversation? And most importantly, what would it mean for them? The uncertainty gnawed at her, and she found herself wishing she could be there, standing beside him, offering silent support.
Her phone buzzed, breaking her reverie. It was a text from Dimitri: "Meeting just ended. Can I come over?"
Brielle's heart leaped. She quickly typed back, "Yes, of course." Her fingers trembled slightly as she hit send. She had no idea what news Dimitri was bringing, but she braced herself, ready to face it together.
Minutes later, there was a knock on her door. Brielle opened it to find Dimitri standing there, his expression unreadable. She ushered him in, closing the door behind them. The room felt suddenly small, the air charged with tension and unspoken words.
"How did it go?" Brielle asked, her voice tentative.
Dimitri sighed, running a hand through his hair. He looked tired, as if the weight of the meeting had drained him. But there was something else in his eyes—a spark of determination, a flicker of hope. "It was... complicated," he began, choosing his words carefully. "But I think we made some progress."
Brielle's brows furrowed in concern. "What do you mean?"
Dimitri took a seat on her bed, and Brielle followed, sitting beside him. He reached for her hand, his grip firm and reassuring. "I spoke with the department head," he explained. "I told him about us. About how we've been seeing each other and that we're committed to maintaining professionalism in class."
Brielle nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She squeezed his hand, urging him to continue.
"At first, he was... understandably concerned," Dimitri admitted. "There are rules, and this kind of relationship is a gray area. But after some discussion, he seemed to understand that we're serious about each other, and not just some fleeting thing. He's agreed to keep it confidential for now and will consult with the university's ethics board to see what our options are."
Brielle's breath caught. "So, we're not in trouble?"
"Not yet," Dimitri said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "But we're not in the clear either. It's a step, though. A positive one, I think. He's willing to work with us to find a solution that doesn't compromise either of us or the university's policies."
Brielle let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. Relief washed over her, mingled with a new wave of anxiety about what the future held. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "For doing this. For fighting for us."
Dimitri turned to face her, his eyes softening as he cupped her face in his hands. "Brielle, I'd do anything for you," he said earnestly. "You mean the world to me."
The intensity of his gaze sent shivers down her spine, and Brielle leaned into his touch, savoring the warmth and comfort it brought. She had known from the start that what they had was special, but seeing Dimitri go to such lengths to protect their relationship filled her with a deep, unspoken gratitude.
"Dimitri," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, "I—"
But before she could finish, Dimitri's lips met hers in a kiss that was both tender and urgent, a blend of all the emotions they had been holding back. Brielle responded eagerly, her hands finding their way to his shoulders, pulling him closer. The kiss was a promise, a silent vow that they would face whatever came their way—together.
When they finally pulled apart, Dimitri rested his forehead against hers, his breath coming in soft, uneven puffs. "I need you to know something," he said, his voice raw with emotion. "I've been feeling this for a while, and after today, I can't hold it back any longer."
Brielle's heart raced, anticipation tingling in her chest. "What is it?"
Dimitri's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze unwavering. "I love you, Brielle. I'm completely, hopelessly in love with you."
The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. For a moment, Brielle could only stare at him, her mind reeling with the weight of his confession. Then, as the reality of his words sank in, a wide smile spread across her face, and she threw her arms around him, burying her face in his shoulder.
"I love you too, Dimitri," she whispered, her voice choked with happy tears. "So much."
They held each other tightly, as if anchoring themselves in the certainty of their shared feelings. It was a moment of pure, unfiltered emotion, untainted by the complications of their situation. In that instant, nothing else mattered—just the two of them, wrapped in each other's arms, the rest of the world fading into the background.
Brielle pulled back slightly, just enough to look into Dimitri's eyes. "Thank you for saying it," she said, her voice soft but steady. "I've been wanting to tell you for so long."
Dimitri smiled, brushing a tear from her cheek. "I meant every word," he assured her. "And no matter what happens, I'm not going anywhere."
They stayed like that for a long while, content to simply be in each other's presence. The future was still uncertain, and there were many hurdles yet to overcome, but in that moment, they had each other. And that was enough.
As Brielle leaned her head against Dimitri's shoulder, she felt a sense of peace settle over her. They had taken a risk, laid their hearts bare, and in return, they had found something truly beautiful. Whatever came next, they would face it side by side, with love as their guide.
And for Brielle, that was all she needed to keep moving forward.
