Desire

XVII.

Isabel

I woke up slowly, the room still dim with early morning light filtering through the curtains. My eyes blinked open, and for a second, I was disoriented. I shifted slightly, only to feel something warm and soft against me, and that's when it hit me.

Holy shit. I spent the night.

I glanced down and saw Lea, her head resting gently on my chest, her breathing slow and steady. She was curled up close to me, her face relaxed, peaceful in a way I rarely saw when she was awake. It was almost surreal. For a moment, I just lay there, still and quiet, my heart beating steadily beneath her.

She looked beautiful, even now, in this unguarded state—maybe even more so. Her brown hair was tousled, falling over her face slightly, and her lips were parted just a bit as she slept. I could see the soft rise and fall of her shoulders with each breath she took, and something about how calm she looked, how at ease, made me smile.

I couldn't help but let my eyes trace over her features. The faint curve of her jaw, the gentle slope of her nose, the way her long lashes brushed against her skin. She seemed so different from the girl who always had her guard up—the Lea who teased me, challenged me, but also let me in, in ways no one else ever had.

There was something so vulnerable about this moment, her trusting me enough to fall asleep like this, to let herself rest on me. I felt my chest tighten slightly, a strange mix of emotions welling up inside me. It wasn't just the fact that she was gorgeous—although that was impossible to ignore—but the fact that she trusted me like this.

I brushed a stray piece of hair away from her face, careful not to wake her, and let my fingers linger for just a second. She looked so peaceful, so unlike the girl who always seemed to have something weighing her down. I liked seeing her like this—soft, unguarded.

I felt a warmth spread through me as I stared at her. It was more than just attraction, more than whatever physical pull I had always felt around her. It was something deeper, something I hadn't quite figured out yet. But it was there, undeniable, and I couldn't shake it.

I let out a silent sigh of relief, grateful that neither of us had class today. No rushing, no rehearsals, just a day to ourselves. I could feel her warmth against me, and it was comforting in a way I wasn't used to.

I slipped out of bed as quietly as I could, not wanting to disturb Lea. She stirred a little but didn't wake, still wrapped up in the blankets, her hair splayed out on the pillow. I smiled to myself, reaching for my clothes from yesterday and pulling them on as quickly as possible. I wanted to do something nice for her—something unexpected, something that would make her smile.

Me? Going out of my way to make her smile? Who the fuck am I?!

After getting dressed, I grabbed my phone and wallet, tiptoeing out of the room and into the quiet morning air outside. The plan was simple—get some breakfast, maybe some coffee or something sweet, just a little gesture to brighten her day.

On my way back from the café, I passed by this tiny flower shop. The colors caught my eye immediately—vivid, fresh blooms stacked in bunches by the window. I don't know what it was, maybe it was just the idea of bringing something beautiful back to her, but I found myself walking inside.

The smell of the flowers hit me right away—roses, lilies, sunflowers. I stood there for a second, feeling a little out of place, before picking out a bouquet that felt right: a mix of soft pink tulips. It was simple but pretty. I thought it would suit her—delicate, just like the way she looked while she was sleeping.

With the coffee and flowers in hand, I headed back to her apartment, feeling a little giddy, like I was doing something secret. Something just for her. When I got back, I quietly unlocked the door, hoping she hadn't woken up yet.