Riley found herself restless, unable to focus on anything other than the feeling that had been growing inside her ever since that moment in the courtyard. Zayden's words echoed in her mind: Whenever you're ready, I'll be here. She wasn't sure what that meant for her, or what it would mean for them, but she couldn't ignore it.
She had been keeping her distance, pushing him away whenever she felt too vulnerable, but something inside her told her that running from this was no longer an option.
The next day at school, everything felt different. She couldn't quite put her finger on it—was it the way people were looking at her and Zayden together now, or the way Zayden seemed to be watching her more closely than before? She wasn't sure, but the tension between them felt palpable.
At lunch, Riley sat with her usual group of friends, but her mind kept drifting. She kept catching Zayden's eyes from across the room. Their gazes would meet, and for just a moment, the world around her would blur. She felt exposed, like he could see right through her walls.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, snapping her out of the haze. It was a message from Zayden.
Zayden: Hey, can I talk to you after school?
Riley's heart skipped a beat. What does he want to talk about? She hesitated before typing back.
Riley: Sure, what about?
Zayden: It's personal. I'll explain when I see you.
Riley bit her lip. She wasn't sure whether she was ready to have the conversation that was clearly coming. Zayden had been patient, but how much longer could they keep dancing around this? How long could she keep avoiding whatever it was that had sparked between them?