If the trip had changed us, school made it obvious to everyone else.
By the second day back, people were already whispering.
I felt it in the hallways—the way eyes followed us, the way conversations dipped when Xavier and I passed. We weren't holding hands. We weren't doing anything obvious.
But something about us had shifted.
Between classes, I stopped at my locker, fumbling with the lock. It jammed.
"Need help?" Xavier asked, already stepping closer.
"I've got it," I said—then the locker finally popped open, making me jump slightly.
He laughed softly. "You always jump."
I raised an eyebrow. "You notice everything, don't you?"
"Only the important things."
There it was again—that look. The one that made my stomach flutter without warning.
Calvin appeared out of nowhere, leaning against the locker next to mine. "So… are we just pretending nothing's happening between you two?"
"Yes," I said immediately.
"No," Xavier said at the same time.
I turned to him. "What does that mean?"
He shrugged, calm as ever. "It means I don't mind people guessing."
My face heated instantly. "You're impossible."
"But you're smiling," Calvin pointed out.
I shut my locker harder than necessary and walked off, but not before I felt Xavier fall into step beside me again.
During class, the teacher paired us up—actually randomly this time. Calvin shot us a knowing look from across the room.
As we worked, our shoulders brushed. Neither of us moved away.
"You're quiet," Xavier said.
"I'm thinking," I replied.
"About?"
"…You."
That made him pause.
He looked at me, surprised—but pleased.
"Careful," he said quietly. "You're going to make it hard for me to focus."
I smirked. "Good."
At lunch, Mira and Calvin joined us, laughing about something that clearly involved Calvin being dramatic.
Mira leaned toward me. "You two feel different now."
I hesitated. "Is that bad?"
She shook her head, smiling. "No. It feels… real."
Across the table, Xavier met my eyes again. No teasing this time. Just warmth.
School was the same—classes, bells, homework.
But every glance, every almost-touch, every quiet moment between us made it feel new.
And as the final bell rang, Xavier leaned closer and said softly,
"Walk home with me?"
I didn't even pretend to think about it.
"Yeah," I said. "I'd like that."
And as we stepped into the crowded hallway together, my heart beat a little faster—not from nerves anymore.
From anticipation.
Because whatever this was…
It was still growing.