The weekend away had felt like a dream. But Monday morning came anyway—with its lectures, crowded halls, and the unspoken rule that what happened off-campus stayed off campus.
Michelle walked into the lecture hall and spotted Steve almost instantly. He was leaning against a row of chairs, joking with two of his classmates. He looked up. Saw her.
And looked away.
He didn't smile.Didn't wave.Didn't even nod.
Michelle stopped in her tracks for a heartbeat, expecting—hoping—for something. Anything.
Nothing came.
She swallowed hard and made her way to the opposite side of the room. Her seat suddenly felt too cold.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Every time she saw Steve in the halls, he was surrounded by people—and every time, he barely acknowledged her.
Not with a smile.Not with a glance.Like she didn't exist.
It wasn't like he was being mean.It was like he was… hiding her.
That evening, Steve knocked on her dorm room door, his usual grin in place.
"Hey," he said, stepping in like everything was fine. "Want to grab food or chill a bit?"
Michelle closed the door behind him but stayed by it, arms folded.
"You didn't even look at me today," she said plainly.
Steve blinked. "What do you mean?"
"In class. In the hallway. In the cafeteria. I was right there, and you acted like you didn't know me."
He opened his mouth. Closed it. "I didn't mean to—"
"Steve." Her voice cracked slightly. "Are you hiding me?"
His expression changed—panic mixed with guilt. "No. No, Michelle. I just… I didn't know what to do. We haven't really talked about what this is, and I didn't want people—"
"To know?" she finished for him.
Silence.
Michelle stepped closer, her voice trembling. "You hold me like I'm the only thing that matters when we're alone. You kiss me like I mean everything. But in the hallway, I'm just some girl passing by?"
Steve ran a hand through his hair, looking frustrated—but not at her. At himself.
"I didn't think it would hurt you," he said softly.
"It wouldn't—if I didn't care," she said, tears beginning to well up. "But I do. I care, Steve. Maybe more than I should."
He stepped forward, reaching for her, but she pulled away just enough.
"I don't want to be your secret," she whispered.
There was a long silence. Then he nodded.
"You're not," he said finally. "Not anymore."
Later that night, as they sat on her bed, both quieter than usual, Steve took her hand gently.
"I was scared," he admitted. "Of what people might think. Of how fast this is happening. But hiding you? That was the worst mistake I've made."
Michelle looked at him, her voice quieter now. "Then don't do it again."
He leaned in slowly, kissed her softly—this time not as a secret, not in the dark.
And when he pulled away, he whispered:
"Tomorrow, I'll kiss you in the hallway if you let me."
Michelle smiled through a tear. "You better."