"Don't Let Go Of My Hand"("GROWNISH")

Chapter 8

The days and weeks pass, and Doug's dynamic with Kiela begins to fade. Something about their connection doesn't feel right to him—it's fun, sure, but it doesn't run deep. His mind keeps drifting back to Ashanti. He starts noticing things he didn't before: the way she laughs when she's genuinely happy, the way she's always there to listen, and how she's been through so much yet keeps standing tall. Slowly but surely, he begins to see her as more than just a friend.

One afternoon, after class, Doug catches up with Ashanti in the hallway.

"Yo, Ashanti!" he calls out, jogging up to her with his usual easygoing smile. "You hungry? I was about to grab something to eat. Thought maybe you'd want to come."

Ashanti pauses, glancing at him. "Uh, sure. Why not? I could use a break."

They head to a small diner just off campus, sliding into a booth by the window. The conversation flows naturally at first, with Doug cracking jokes and Ashanti rolling her eyes but secretly enjoying his company. As the meal winds down, Doug's tone shifts, becoming more serious.

"Listen, Ashanti," he starts, leaning forward slightly. "I've been thinking about something for a while, and I feel like I just need to say it."

Ashanti freezes, her stomach twisting nervously. "What's up?"

Doug takes a deep breath, his confidence faltering slightly—something she's never seen before. "I really like you, Ashanti. More than just as a friend. You've been on my mind a lot lately, and I feel like... I don't know, maybe we could give this a shot. You and me."

Ashanti's heart skips a beat. For a moment, it feels like an old dream—one she's had but never dared to believe could come true. Doug, the guy who always seemed untouchable, the one who always made her laugh, is sitting here telling her he likes her.

But then reality crashes down, and with it, all her fears. Her condition. Her health. The constant what-ifs that she's tried so hard to ignore. How could she bring someone into her life knowing all of that?

Her face falters, and she forces a smile. "Doug, that's... really sweet. But I, uh, I just remembered—I have a ton of studying to do. Midterms and all that. I should probably get going."

Doug's brow furrows, confused by her sudden change in tone. "Wait, what? Did I say something wrong?"

"No, no, not at all," Ashanti lies, quickly gathering her things. "I just have a lot on my plate right now. I'll, uh, see you later, okay?"

Before he can respond, she's out the door, her heart pounding in her chest. She barely makes it back to her dorm before the tears start falling. Dropping her bag on the floor, she sinks onto her bed, clutching a pillow as the sobs take over.

"This is why you don't let yourself get close," she mutters to herself between tears. "This is why."

Her mind spirals with a flood of emotions: fear, guilt, regret. She knows Doug deserves the truth, but the thought of him seeing her differently—of him pitying her or feeling trapped by her condition—is too much to bear.

For what feels like hours, she cries, letting herself feel everything she's been bottling up. Eventually, the tears subside, leaving her exhausted but slightly lighter. She knows she'll have to face Doug eventually, but for now, she just curls up under her blankets, letting the weight of the moment settle in her chest.

Two weeks pass, and Ashanti has been distant—ignoring Doug's texts, avoiding him on campus, and generally making herself scarce. It's starting to weigh on him more than he wants to admit. One evening, he finds himself in the dorm lounge with Vivek and Aaron, trying to figure out what went wrong.