The hallways felt different on Monday morning.
Michelle walked with her headphones in, her mind still half-dreaming of the quiet lake, of Lila's laughter echoing in the woods, of the way her chest had lightened over the weekend.
For once, she didn't feel nervous walking into school. Her head was high, her heart calm. She smiled at familiar faces—and this time, they smiled back.
When she reached her locker, a folded piece of paper was tucked in through the vent.
She opened it slowly.
Meet me on the third-floor balcony. —S
A tiny thrill ran through her. Steve rarely passed notes—he wasn't the type. This was deliberate. Thoughtful.
She climbed the stairs, her pulse picking up speed.
Steve was already waiting, leaning against the railing, wind ruffling his hair. He turned when he heard her footsteps—and the way his eyes lit up made her chest tighten.
"Hi," he said softly. "You look… different."
Michelle raised a brow. "Different how?"
"Stronger," he said. "Like something inside you shifted."
She smiled and moved beside him, the cold metal railing against her hands. "I needed the weekend. Lila and I—"
"Are officially besties now?"
Michelle laughed. "Maybe."
He looked at her for a long moment. "I missed you."
And then, slowly, he reached for her hand.
The touch was simple. Gentle. But her breath caught all the same.
Steve looked hesitant for the first time. "I know I'm not always good at showing it in front of others. I've been figuring things out, but…" His voice lowered. "When I'm with you, everything just feels… right. Do you feel that too?"
Michelle turned toward him. Her heart was pounding in her ears.
"I do," she whispered. "Even when it scares me. Especially when it scares me."
There was silence. And then Steve leaned in—slowly, as if giving her time to pull away.
But Michelle didn't.
Their lips met softly, tenderly—like a question and an answer all at once. His hand cupped her cheek, hers curled into his jacket.
The world melted.
When they pulled apart, they stayed close, their foreheads touching.
"I think I'm falling for you," Steve murmured.
Michelle's heart swelled with warmth. "Then maybe we're falling together."
The bell rang in the distance.
They stood for another few seconds, not ready to return to the noise of school life. But when they finally pulled away, it was with something new between them.
Not just attraction. Not just affection.
Something steadier. Something real.