FALLING FOR YOU

"Aiden?" I called, my voice trembling as tears fell.

"Clarissa, please don't cry. I'll come back to you. I promise," he said, his voice soft yet filled with determination.

"But I'll miss you so much, Aiden..." I whispered, the weight of our parting pressing heavily on my chest.

"You won't. We'll stay in touch. I'll call you every day," he reassured me.

"Promise?"

"Promise," he affirmed, his gaze firm but gentle.

"Okay. See you... I'll miss you, Best Friend." I said, my voice breaking as I pulled him into one last hug.

"I love you," he whispered, pressing a brief kiss to my cheek.

Frozen, I stood there, watching him walk away, the weight of his words lingering in the air. Had I misunderstood him, or was this moment truly as significant as it felt?

One year later...

We met again.
Everything felt the same-familiar, comforting, and just as we had been.
But beneath the surface, something had changed. Or had it?

"Clarissa," he whispered, leaning in so close that I could feel the warmth of his breath against my skin. If I moved even slightly, our lips might meet.

"Aiden, you're not in the right state of mind right now. Let's talk tomorrow," I urged, my heart racing, fighting the pull of his proximity.

"No, Clarissa. This can't wait." His voice was firm now, but there was an underlying tension in his eyes-something more than just anger. "Please, just listen."

I stood there, staring into those intense, blue eyes, feeling everything I had buried deep inside rise to the surface.

I knew what he wanted. But was I ready to give it to him? Could I overcome my fear, silence the doubts, and listen to what my heart had been telling me all along?

I waited, breathless, for him to speak.