I didn't expect much when Connor Sharpe followed me back.
Just some random notification while hanging out with my best friend.
But one simple "hi" turns into something neither of us saw coming.
A couple of years apart, different grades, and a millio...
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The night was finally quiet.
Yumi had passed out on the couch, tangled in a blanket like a burrito. Jake was upstairs FaceTiming someone, Laura went home early (thank god), and Aiden was in the kitchen, pretending to clean but mostly just scrolling on his phone and sneaking brownies.
That left just me and Connor.
We were sitting outside on the back porch. The sky was dark and soft, stars blinking lazily above. The porch light was dimmed and flickering slightly like it couldn't decide if it wanted to stay awake.
He hadn't said much. And neither had I.
I was nursing a can of soda like it was wine, legs curled beneath me. Connor sat across from me in a hoodie, arms resting over his knees, tapping a rhythm into his thumb. I kept catching him looking at me, then looking away.
"You're quiet," I finally said, softly.
He looked up. "You too."
"I talk enough for the both of us usually."
Connor smiled. "Yeah. I like that."
I bit the inside of my cheek. "What are you thinking about?"
There was a pause. A long one.
"You," he said.
My heart full-on flipped in my chest. "Me?"
He nodded once. "I've been thinking about you a lot, actually. Which... sounds kinda creepy, now that I say it out loud."
"It doesn't," I whispered. "I've been thinking about you too."
The words came out like they were waiting in my throat this whole time. And now they were out, hanging in the air between us, glowing like fireflies.
He leaned forward a little. "Yeah?"
I nodded, suddenly aware of how fast my heart was beating. "Ever since you messaged me. Actually, before that. From the video. I don't know. Something just-"
"Clicked?" he offered.
"Yeah," I said, exhaling. "Exactly."
He stood up, and for a second I thought he was gonna walk away but then he stepped closer and sat beside me on the bench. Not too close. But close enough.
"I was gonna kiss you in the bathroom," he said quietly.
"I know."
He looked at me. "Do you want me to now?"
I turned to him, barely breathing.
"Yes," I whispered.
Connor didn't move right away. His hand brushed mine gently, almost unsure. I could feel the warmth of him even in the cool night. And then, like gravity had been waiting long enough, he leaned in slowly.
I closed my eyes.
And then it happened.
His lips were soft, careful. Not rushed. Not messy. Just... gentle. Like he was trying to memorize the moment, not just live in it. His hand found my cheek, and my fingers curled into the sleeve of his hoodie like second nature.
We didn't pull away immediately. It was like the world had paused to let us have this moment.
When we did, I opened my eyes slowly and found him smiling. Not his usual smirk. Something softer. Something real.
"Finally," he said under his breath.
I laughed quietly. "Took us long enough."
He leaned his forehead against mine. "Can I kiss you again?"
I nodded. "You better."
And he did.
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