The next few days unfolded in a way Riley wasn't expecting. Zayden gave her space, but at the same time, he was ever-present, subtly reminding her that he was there, that he wasn't going anywhere. They talked more, laughed more, and despite her lingering doubts, Riley found herself slowly falling into a rhythm she hadn't anticipated.
There were moments when her fears crept back, moments when the walls she'd spent years building threatened to rise up again. But Zayden was patient. He never pushed her further than she was willing to go, and that made all the difference. He knew when to give her time and when to reach out, when to pull her closer and when to let her retreat for a bit. And slowly, she began to realize that maybe—just maybe—he was the one person she could let in.
One afternoon, as they sat together in the school courtyard, Riley felt the weight of her growing feelings for Zayden. The distance between them had closed, and what was once an unspoken tension was now something palpable, something undeniable.
"I'm scared, Zayden," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Scared of what this could mean. Scared of what'll happen if I let you in completely."
Zayden didn't respond immediately. He simply reached out and gently cupped her cheek, turning her face toward him. His gaze was intense, but there was tenderness in it, a softness she hadn't expected.
"You don't have to be scared," he said quietly. "I'm not asking for you to be perfect, Riley. I'm just asking you to be here. With me."
Tears threatened to well in her eyes at the sincerity in his voice. It was like a weight had been lifted, the last barrier inside her finally giving way. She didn't know what the future held, but for the first time, she felt like she could face it. With him.
"I don't know what I'm doing," Riley admitted with a shaky laugh. "But I'm willing to find out. With you."
Zayden smiled, pulling her into a hug. This time, it wasn't just a gesture of comfort—it was a promise. And Riley finally allowed herself to believe it.