Cypriana didn't speak.
The backyard felt too big suddenly.
Too open.
Matt stood close enough that she could smell his shampoo, that clean, safe warmth.
Andrew stood a few feet away, quieter, watching her like he was waiting for something to break.
Steve, of course, looked like he was watching the best show of his life.
Cypriana's throat tightened.
"I just…" she started, then stopped.
Matt softened immediately.
"Hey," he said gently. "It's fine. You don't have to—"
"I want to," she cut in, sharper than she meant. Her cheeks warmed. "I want to do it."
Andrew's gaze flickered.
Matt nodded quickly.
"Okay. Then I'll help you."
Andrew's voice came right after.
"She needs someone who won't rush her."
Matt's head snapped up.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Andrew didn't blink.
"It means you treat it like a game."
Steve made a sound like he was choking on laughter.
Matt's jaw clenched.
"It is fun."
"For you," Andrew said quietly.
Cypriana's stomach twisted.
The air between them was tightening, invisible pressure building like static.
She hated it.
Hated that it was about her.
Hated that her failure was suddenly… a competition.
Cypriana exhaled, forcing herself to speak.
"Stop."
Both boys froze.
Cypriana looked down at the grass.
"I don't need you guys to fight."
Matt's voice softened again. "We're not fighting."
Andrew didn't say anything.
Cypriana lifted her eyes.
"I just need…" she swallowed. "I need someone to tell me what I'm doing wrong."
Matt stepped forward.
"I can—"
But Andrew spoke first, quieter.
"You're trying too hard."
Cypriana blinked.
Matt frowned. "What?"
Andrew's gaze stayed on her.
"You're forcing it. Like… like you're scared it won't happen, so you're squeezing it."
Cypriana's lips parted.
Because that was exactly what it felt like.
Like trying to hold water in her fists.
Matt's voice was careful now.
"Cypri, just relax. Think about—"
Andrew shook his head slightly.
"No. Don't think."
Cypriana stared at him.
Andrew's voice dropped, almost gentle.
"Feel it."
The words hit differently.
Cypriana didn't know why.
Matt looked frustrated.
Steve looked thrilled.
Cypriana hesitated.
Then, slowly…
She turned toward Andrew.
Not fully.
Not like a choice.
More like… instinct.
"Okay," she whispered. "Then show me."
Matt stiffened.
Steve's grin could've split his face.
Andrew didn't smile.
He just stepped closer.
Cypriana's pulse jumped.
Andrew lifted his hand—not touching her, not yet.
"Close your eyes," he said.
Cypriana hesitated.
Then did.
The world went dark.
Her breath sounded too loud.
Andrew's voice was near.
"Don't push."
Cypriana's fingers trembled.
"Don't force the ground away," Andrew continued. "Just… let it stop holding you."
Cypriana swallowed.
That made no sense.
And yet…
She tried.
Not pushing.
Not pulling.
Just…
Letting go.
For a second, nothing happened.
Then—
Her shoes lifted.
Barely.
An inch.
Cypriana's breath caught violently.
Steve made a noise like "OH—"
Matt's voice burst out.
"Cypri!"
Cypriana opened her eyes.
She was floating.
Not high.
Not like Steve.
But she was off the ground.
Her lips parted, stunned.
Andrew's gaze held hers.
Steady.
Like he knew she could do it the whole time.
Cypriana's heart hammered.
She didn't know what she felt.
Relief.
Shock.
Something else.
Matt stepped forward quickly, voice bright.
"You did it! That's—see, you just needed—"
Cypriana dropped back down, stumbling slightly.
Matt reached out instinctively, catching her arm.
His touch was warm.
Familiar.
Andrew's hand fell back to his side.
Steve clapped dramatically.
"And there it is, folks! The first romantic tension-induced levitation!"
Cypriana groaned. "Steve—"
Steve held up his hands innocently.
"What? I'm just saying. Andrew's like, weirdly good at this."
Matt's jaw tightened.
Andrew didn't react.
But Cypriana felt it.
The shift.
The beginning of something messy.
Because she hadn't chosen.
Not really.
But the universe had tilted her an inch toward Andrew.
And that was enough.