The week felt like it was moving in slow motion. Every class, every errand, every quiet moment seemed to carry his shadow with it. My phone buzzed constantly — Alfred's name lighting up the screen like a lifeline.
Can I see you tonight?
I froze. Nighttime visits were dangerous — my mother was stricter than ever, and curiosity ran in her eyes. But the thought of saying no… it felt impossible.
Yes… quietly. I typed.
That evening, I waited in my usual spot at the little park, heart hammering with anticipation and fear. The streetlamps glowed softly, illuminating the path ahead. And there he was, walking toward me, his silhouette familiar yet still breathtaking.
"Hey," he whispered, his eyes scanning mine as if to check if I was really there.
"Hey," I replied, my voice trembling despite my effort to be calm.
We sat on the bench, side by side, our shoulders brushing. Conversation flowed easily — laughs, teasing remarks, confessions small and tender. But beneath it all, there was the current of something stronger, something unspoken that neither of us dared to name yet.
When our hands met, it wasn't accidental this time. He held mine gently, turning my fingers over his. "I can't stop thinking about you," he admitted, voice low and vulnerable.
I swallowed hard, words trapped in my throat. Me too, I wanted to say. But instead, I let my fingers squeeze his. That small gesture said more than words ever could.
Minutes passed like hours. And then, as if the world had shrunk to just the two of us, he leaned in. Our lips met — slow, deep, and unhurried this time, full of longing and promise. I felt my pulse racing, my chest tight, my mind dizzy with the intensity of it.
"I… I don't want this to end," he whispered after we pulled back, his forehead resting against mine.
"Neither do I," I admitted, my voice shaking, caught between fear and desir
Later, lying in my bed, I hid under the covers, phone in hand, staring at his messages:
I wish I could stay there forever…
Me too…
Every buzz, every word, every little heart he sent made my heart ache and swell alle at once. The thrill of secrecy, the tenderness of love, the weight of longing — it was intoxicating, overwhelming, and wonderful all at the same time.
I knew we were walking a dangerous line.
But for the first time, I didn't care.
Love had caught me. Fire had found me.
And I was ready to burn.