The evening sky in Paris was all soft and purple, like a big cozy blanket wrapped around the city.
Gaesha walked next to Kent by the Seine River, her hands swinging free, feeling so happy she could barely keep still.
Her favorite blue scarf hung loosely around her neck, her hair all messy from the breeze, and her smile was so big it felt like her face might stay that way forever.
They'd had such a fun day—grabbing coffee at a tiny shop, wandering through little streets, no big plans to worry about.
Just the two of them, laughing and taking their time. Gaesha loved days like this, where nothing felt rushed, and she could just be herself with Kent.
She glanced at him, his gray coat neat as always, his steps steady like he was never in a hurry.
Kent was so calm, so different from her, and she liked that. It made her feel safe, like she could be her loud, silly self, and he'd just be there, steady as a rock.
"This is so nice," Gaesha said, looking at the water. It sparkled a little under the streetlights, like tiny stars dancing on the river. "Just you and me. And guess what? No pigeons this time!"
"Yeah," Kent said, his voice soft. "Way better."
"Totally better," Gaesha said, nodding so hard her scarf slipped a little. "I love when it's just us two. You're really good to hang out with, you know? Like, the best."
"You talk a ton," Kent said, his voice flat but his eyes warm, like he was teasing her in his quiet way.
"Ha, yeah, I do," Gaesha said, giggling. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her cheeks feeling a little warm. "You're okay with that, right? Me talking all the time?"
"Nope," Kent said, pausing for a second before adding, "I like it."
"Phew," Gaesha said, pretending to wipe her forehead with her hand. She grinned at him, her heart feeling light. "Good. So, what's your favorite thing about today? Tell me!"
Kent got quiet, his brows furrowing like he was thinking really hard. He always took his time with questions like that, and Gaesha waited, swinging her arms a little.
"The quiet," he said finally. "With you."
"Aw, Kent!" Gaesha said, her heart feeling all warm and squishy, like a marshmallow. "That's so sweet. Wanna know mine? It's you. Just you being you, all calm and cool."
Kent looked at her quick, then away, his cheeks turning a tiny bit pink. "Thanks," he said, his voice so soft she almost didn't hear it.
They kept walking, their shoes tapping softly on the path. The river flowed beside them, steady and calm, and Gaesha felt like everything was perfect.
They reached a little stone bridge, its arch curving low over the water, and Gaesha stopped.
She leaned on the railing, her elbows resting there, feeling the cool stone under her arms.
"Look at that," she said, pointing at the water. "The lights on the river. Aren't they so pretty? Like little sparkles everywhere."
"Yeah," Kent said, standing close. His shoulder was almost touching hers, and Gaesha could feel the warmth of him even through his coat.
"Paris feels like magic," she said, her voice soft and dreamy. She tilted her head, watching the lights dance. "Like we're in a fairy tale or something. You ever feel that way?"
"Sometimes," Kent said, his voice low. "Right now."
"Now?" Gaesha said, turning to face him, her eyes big with surprise. "Why right now? Tell me!"
"You," Kent said, his voice so quiet it was almost a whisper.
Gaesha's heart did a little flip, like it was jumping inside her chest. "Me?" she said, her voice coming out all squeaky. "Kent, what do you mean?"
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he stepped closer, so close she could see the little flecks in his eyes.
His hand came up, slow and careful, and touched her cheek, super gentle, like she was something precious.
Gaesha froze, her eyes wide, her brain feeling all fuzzy, like it couldn't keep up.
"Kent?" she whispered, her voice shaky.
"Shh," he said, soft and calm.
Then he leaned down and kissed her. It was so soft, so warm, his lips gentle against hers. Gaesha's brain just stopped.
She forgot the river, the bridge, the lights—everything. All she could feel was Kent, kissing her under the big, purple Paris sky.
Her hands grabbed his coat, pulling him closer, like she was afraid he'd disappear if she let go.
And he didn't pull away, not right away. The kiss felt like it lasted forever, but also like it was over too soon.
When he finally stepped back, Gaesha blinked up at him, her breath all quick and uneven.
"Whoa," she said, her voice wobbly. "You… you really kissed me."
"Yeah," Kent said, his face red but his eyes steady, looking right at her.
"Why?" Gaesha asked, still feeling like she was floating somewhere above the bridge.
"Wanted to," Kent said, simple as that. "Been wanting to for a while."
"A while?" Gaesha said, her mouth dropping open. "Kent Sivan! You kept that a secret? How long's a while?"
"Maybe," Kent said, shrugging a little. "You're so loud, it's hard to think sometimes."
She laughed, loud and happy, her whole body buzzing with joy. "Oh my gosh," she said, bouncing on her toes. "I'm so happy I can't even think straight! You kissed me, Kent! Right here!"
"Yup," Kent said, his lips twitching like he was trying not to smile. "I did."
"Do it again," Gaesha said, grinning so big her cheeks hurt. "Please? Just one more?"
Kent looked at her for a second, his eyes soft. Then he gave a tiny smile, just for her. "Okay," he said.
He leaned down and kissed her again, quick this time, but still so sweet, like a promise. Gaesha squealed, hopping up and down, her scarf bouncing with her.
"This is the best day ever!" she said, her voice loud enough to echo a little. "Best kiss ever! You're so amazing, Kent!"
"You're a lot," Kent said, but he was smiling now, a real smile that made his whole face look different, softer.
"Nuh-uh," Gaesha said, poking his arm gently. "I'm just right. For you. Admit it!"
They stood there by the river, the water all quiet below them. Gaesha grabbed his hand, holding it tight, her fingers fitting perfectly with his.
"Say it," she said, looking up at him, her eyes shining. "Say you like me."
"I like you," Kent said, his voice steady. "A lot."
"Kent!" Gaesha said, her heart feeling like it might burst right out of her chest. "You're gonna make me cry! I like you too. So, so much."
"Good," Kent said, squeezing her hand. "I kinda figured."
"You did?" Gaesha said, tilting her head like a curious puppy. "How'd you know? Tell me!"
"Your notes," Kent said, his voice soft. "Your laugh. Just… you."
"Aw," Gaesha said, her cheeks getting warm again. "You're such a softie, Grumpy."
"Not grumpy," Kent said, shaking his head a little. "Not right now."
"Yay," Gaesha said, giggling. She leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder, feeling the solid warmth of him. "This feels perfect. Like, really perfect."
"Yeah," Kent said, his voice quiet but sure.
He put his arm around her, a little clumsy at first, but it felt so nice, like he was holding her close to keep her safe. Gaesha sighed, happy and content, her heart full.
They started walking again, holding hands now, their fingers tangled together. Gaesha couldn't stop talking, her words spilling out like they always did.
"I still can't believe it," she said, swinging their hands a little. "You kissed me! Right under a bridge! It's so romantic, like in a movie or something!"
"It's just a bridge," Kent said, shrugging, but his eyes were bright, like he was happy too.
"No way," Gaesha said, shaking her head so her hair bounced. "It's our bridge now. Forever and ever. I'm gonna remember it always."
"Forever?" Kent said, raising an eyebrow, his voice teasing. "That's a big word."
"Yup," Gaesha said, nodding hard. "I mean it. Do you? Like, do you think this is special?"
"Maybe," Kent said, his voice soft again. "We'll see."
"You're such a tease," Gaesha said, laughing and nudging him with her shoulder. "Guess what? You're stuck with me now, mister."
"Okay," Kent said, his lips curving up. "I'm fine with that."
They found a bench by the river and sat down, super close, their knees touching. Gaesha swung her feet a little, her sneakers tapping the ground.
"So what now?" she asked, looking at him with big, curious eyes. "More kissing? Please say yes."
"Later," Kent said, his voice calm but warm. "Let's just sit for a bit."
"Fine," Gaesha said, pretending to pout, but she couldn't stop smiling. "But I'm so happy. Like, really, really happy. My heart's all fluttery."
"Me too," Kent said, his voice quieter than hers. "But quieter."
She laughed, loud and bright, leaning her head on his shoulder again. "You're so funny," she said, her voice soft now. "I love that about you. I love a lot about you."
"You love a lot of stuff," Kent said, glancing at her, his eyes warm and steady.
"Yeah," Gaesha said, smiling up at him, her heart feeling so full. "But you most of all."
Kent didn't say anything, but he squeezed her hand again, his fingers warm and strong around hers.
Gaesha felt like she could stay there forever, just like that, with the river twinkling and Kent right beside her.
The night got darker, the air a little cooler, but Gaesha didn't feel cold—not with Kent so close.
They stayed on the bench a little longer, watching the water move slow and steady, like it had all the time in the world.
Gaesha's heart felt too big, like it might spill out and fill the whole city with happiness.
"Kent," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper, "I'm never gonna forget this. Not ever. This night, this bridge, you."
"Good," he said, his voice low and serious. "Me neither."
"You mean that?" she asked, looking up at him, her eyes searching his face.
"Yeah," Kent said, meeting her gaze. "I do."
She grinned, snuggling closer, her cheek against his coat. "You're the best," she said. "I'm so glad you're here. Like, so glad."
"Same," Kent said, his voice soft. "With you."
They got up to walk again, their hands still locked together, like neither of them wanted to let go.
Gaesha felt like she was floating, like the whole world was brighter, softer, just because of him.
The river sparkled, the lights glowed, and her heart kept doing little flips every time she looked at Kent.
"This is our night," she said, her voice full of joy. "The best one ever."
"Yup," Kent said, his voice warm. "Ours."
The air was cool now, brushing against her cheeks, but Gaesha didn't care. She kept sneaking looks at Kent, at his quiet face, his little smile that was just for her.
"You're cute when you're happy," she said, grinning.
"Stop," Kent said, but his voice was soft, like he didn't really mean it.
"Nope," Gaesha said, laughing. "I'm gonna keep saying it. You're cute, and I like you, and I'm so happy."
"Fine," Kent said, his lips twitching again. "You win."
"Always," Gaesha said, her laugh echoing a little in the quiet night.
She felt light, like nothing could bring her down—not tonight, not with Kent right there, holding her hand.
The river kept flowing, the lights kept shining, and Gaesha knew this was a moment she'd carry with her forever, tucked safe in her heart.
They walked a little more, their steps slow, like they didn't want the night to end. Gaesha kept talking, her voice bright and happy, filling the quiet with her words.
"I'm gonna tell everyone about this," she said, then paused. "Okay, maybe not everyone. But it's so special, Kent. You make it special."
"You talk too much," Kent said, but his smile was real now, big enough to show his teeth.
"And you love it," Gaesha said, sticking out her tongue.
"Yeah," Kent said, squeezing her hand. "I do."
Gaesha laughed again, her heart so full she thought it might burst. The night stretched on, soft and perfect, and she knew, no matter what happened next, this moment—their moment—would always be hers.