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 sun was way too bright when I opened my eyes. The party felt like it had happened a year ago and also five minutes ago all at once. My head was pounding just enough to remind me that yes, last night did happen. I did dance with Connor. I did kiss someone..accidentally. And I did feel things I probably shouldn’t have.
It was Saturday.
Late morning.
Yumi had stayed behind at the house. She looked way too cozy curled up with someone on the couch when I was slipping out, probably that girl she’d been dancing with last night. She winked at me like, “Go get your boy,” and I didn’t even pretend to hide my grin.
Connor insisted on walking me home.
No, wait he wanted to walk me home. And I let him.
So now it was just us.
The two of us.
Walking slowly down my street under the late morning sun. My bunny ears were shoved into my bag, my makeup was mostly wiped off, and I was wearing an oversized hoodie Connor had thrown over me before we left.
“I can’t believe Jake fell asleep in the bathtub,” I laughed, kicking a pebble on the sidewalk.
“I can,” Connor said, rubbing his eyes. “I walked in there and the dude was straight-up snoring.”
I burst out laughing. “He’s gonna have the worst back pain.”
Connor smirked. “Good. That’s what he gets for stealing the last slice of pizza.”
We kept walking, side by side. Not in a rush. Just soaking in the calm.
And without thinking his hand brushed mine. I didn’t move away. He took that as permission.
We linked fingers like it was normal. His hand was warm. I didn’t say anything. He didn’t either.
We just… held on.
We talked about stupid stuff. Like what we’d eat when we got home. If we thought Stacey and Josh had actually hooked up or just passed out together. At one point I said I wanted pancakes and Connor said, “You’re so fricking cute,” and I pretended I didn’t hear it so I wouldn’t melt into the sidewalk.
When we reached my door, he slowed.
“This is it,” I said softly.
“Yeah,” he replied.
The hoodie still hung on my shoulders. I didn’t take it off.
“Thanks for walking me.”
“Thanks for letting me,” he said, and the way he looked at me right then made my heart stop for half a second.
He leaned forward not for a kiss. Just to hug me tightly. It was softer than a kiss. It was safer. And I think I loved it more.
