The second I sat down at our usual table in the cafeteria, I could finally breathe again.
Everything since that hallway moment with Damien felt like a dream — or maybe some overly romantic drama. He had actually held my hand. Not just for a second, but all the way to class. And he looked at me like I was something he didn't expect but wanted to understand.
And the worst part?
I couldn't stop smiling about it.
I was lost in my thoughts when someone slid into the seat across from me with zero hesitation and way too much confidence.
"Hey. You must be Ava."
I looked up, surprised.
A guy — lean, charming, with a mischievous glint in his greenish-gray eyes — rested his elbows on the table and grinned like he already knew everything about me.
"I'm Ezra. Damien's best friend."
Oh. This was Ezra.
"Hi," I said, a little wary, a little curious.
He looked me up and down — not in a weird way, more like he was analyzing. "So you're the reason he's been acting all soft and mysterious today."
I blinked. "What do you mean?"
"He smiled. Like, more than once. And he hasn't sketched a building or a flower since lunch. That's not normal."
I tried to hide my blush. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Ezra leaned in, elbows on the table. "You know what I think? I think I should get your number."
I almost choked. "Excuse me?"
He grinned. "Relax, not for me. He's too chicken to ask. I'm just helping him out."
"You're unbelievable," I said, shaking my head.
"True. But I'm also cute, so people usually forgive me."
Despite myself, I laughed.
Ezra handed me his phone. "Come on. Just type it in. You'll thank me later."
I hesitated for half a second, then gave in — partly because he was too much to argue with, partly because… I wanted to.
---
About ten minutes later, as I walked down the hallway back to class, my phone buzzed.
Unknown Number:
Hey. I hope Ezra didn't weird you out too much.
I already knew who it was.
Me:
That depends. Are you going to admit you made him do it?
Damien:
Maybe 😅
Or maybe I just have a pushy best friend who's really bad at being subtle.
Me:
Well… I'm kind of glad he did it.
So, hey :)
Damien:
Hey, Ava.
I was hoping I'd get to say that again today.
---
I stopped in the middle of the hallway and just stared at the message.
A smile tugged at the corners
of my lips.
The butterflies?
Yeah.
They were back — and louder than ever.
The phone buzzed again, and even before I looked at the screen, my smile grew wider.
Damien:
Hey, Ava.
I was hoping I'd get to say that again today.
I stared at the message for a long second, heart thudding like I was about to do something outrageous. Like skydiving.
Except it was just… texting a boy.
This boy.
Me:
Well… saying "hi" twice in one day?
That's dangerously close to friendship 😌
Damien:
Oh no. Not friendship.
I was aiming for "person I think about a lot" 😳
I nearly dropped my phone.
Okay. So… that was blunt.
And ridiculously cute.
I bit my lip and typed back, heart racing:
Me:
Is that a title I earned by nearly falling flat in the hallway? 😅
Damien:
You falling into my arms might've helped.
But mostly, it's the way you talk. And laugh.
And how your eyes crinkle when you're trying not to smile.
I covered my mouth, cheeks on fire. He noticed that?
Me:
Okay. Now you're the one being dangerous.
That was too smooth.
Damien:
I'm not smooth. I just say what I think.
And right now I'm thinking…
I like talking to you.
Me:
Even over text?
Damien:
Especially over text. I get to say the things I don't have the courage to say out loud.
That one made me stop.
I stared at it, then slowly typed:
Me:
Like what?
There was a pause. A long one. I watched the typing dots come and go.
Then finally—
Damien:
Like… I wanted to hold your hand even after we got to the class.
I gasped quietly, phone pressed against my lips.
Me:
I kind of didn't want to let go either.
Another pause.
Damien:
Ava?
Me:
Hmm?
Damien:
I think I want to get to know you.
Like really know you.
Me:
Then ask me anything.
Damien:
What's your favorite time of day?
I blinked, surprised. Then smiled.
Me:
Late evening. When everything's quiet and the sky turns that soft orange-purple.
Why?
Damien:
I just imagined sketching you under a sky like that.
I squealed. Out loud.
I couldn't stop blushing even if I tried.
Me:
Damien, you can't just say stuff like that. My heart is a baby bird. Handle with care 🐣
Damien:
Too late. I think my sketchbook already has feelings.
---
That night, I went to bed with my phone on my chest, a smile on my face,
and a quiet little hope glowing inside me.
Something was beginning.
And maybe… it wasn't just a crush anymore.