𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐋 𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃

33

Song:
ordinary things- ariana grande
slowed + reverb

LEENA

The familiar, chaotic buzz of the school building surrounds me as I step through the doors, the hum of conversations, the clatter of lockers, and the occasional burst of laughter filling the air.

I make my way down the crowded hallway, my footsteps falling into a steady rhythm. At my side, Angel walks with me, his presence calm and steady, his hand wrapped securely around mine.

His touch is warm, a quiet reminder of his nearness, and the simple gesture grounds me as I weave through the sea of students toward my locker.

I still couldn't quite figure out what we were. The lines between us had blurred so much that I wasn't sure where we stood. We were definitely far from just friends-everything between us felt too intense, too charged for that-but we hadn't exactly put a label on anything either.

No promises had been made, no clear words spoken to define the connection growing between us. Neither of us had brought up the conversation, whether out of fear, uncertainty, or maybe because we were both too caught up in the moment to care about the details.

And yet, the question lingered quietly in the back of my mind, waiting for the right time to be answered.

But after yesterday, when he looked me in the eyes and told me he was in love with me, everything shifted.

That single moment, those words, settled deep within me, rooting themselves in my heart. It was as if a door had opened, and suddenly, I couldn't imagine stepping back into anything less than the fullness of what we had begun to share.

I knew then, with absolute clarity, that I wouldn't be able to settle for anything less than all of him. Just friends? That wasn't even a possibility anymore. The thought felt small, inadequate, compared to the overwhelming pull between us.

"You didn't have to walk me all the way to my locker, you know," I say with a soft smile, tilting my head up to meet his eyes. There's a playful lilt in my voice, but the warmth in my chest betrays how much I appreciate the simple gesture.

He doesn't respond right away, just watching me with that familiar, quiet intensity that always seems to steal my breath.

I turn toward my locker, letting go of his hand, and my fingers move to spin the dial as I put in the combination. The lock clicks open, and I pull the door wide, reaching inside to grab my things and whatever else I'll need for the day, all while feeling the weight of his gaze lingering on me.

He steps closer, his presence surrounding me as he gently wraps his arms around my waist from behind, pulling me into the warmth of his embrace.

His lips brush softly against my cheek, the kiss lingering for a brief moment, sending a flutter of warmth through me. "I wanted to," he murmurs against my skin, his voice low and tender, carrying an unspoken meaning that only makes my heart race faster.

I desperately wanted to show him the same affection, to let him know just how much I felt for him, but something held me back. I didn't want to be one of those couples that everyone saw in the hallway, constantly wrapped up in each other in full view of everyone. The idea of it made me cringe-too exposed, too much for public eyes.

As the thought lingered in my mind, I quickly turn towards him, giving him a brief, soft kiss on his lips, just enough to convey a hint of what I feel. But then, before I could give in to the urge to stay close, I gently push him back, creating a small space between us, a barrier I wasn't sure I wanted but felt necessary.