✧ Ren ✧
I shouldn't be this calm.
That's the first thing I notice.
Because last night—
wasn't something small.
She kissed me.
And this morning—
she didn't take it back.
That should mean something.
It does.
I just don't know how much.
Across the room—
Jay is arguing with MJ.
Something about "mind your business"
and "you're making it worse."
She's still a little flustered.
Still blushing.
Still avoiding my eyes—
until she doesn't.
And when she looks at me—
she doesn't look away immediately.
That's new.
I lean back slightly, watching her.
Not in a way that draws attention.
Just—
noticing.
She laughs at something Gorya says.
Soft.
Unforced.
And something in my chest tightens.
Because I didn't imagine it.
Last night wasn't just a moment.
It carried into today.
And that—
that's dangerous.
"Stop staring."
I blink.
Jay is looking at me.
One brow slightly raised.
"I wasn't," I say.
"You were."
"I wasn't."
She narrows her eyes slightly.
Then—
she smiles.
And looks away first.
I exhale quietly.
That's new too.
Before—
she always pulled away faster.
Put distance.
Built walls.
Now?
She stays.
Not fully.
But enough.
And I don't know what to do with that.
"Ren."
I turn.
Thyme is watching me.
Too carefully.
"What?"
He tilts his head slightly.
"You're different."
Kavin smirks from the side.
"He's been different since last night."
"Shut up," I mutter.
MJ grins. "You didn't even deny it."
I don't respond.
Because there's nothing to deny.
Thyme leans forward slightly.
"Do you like her?"
I don't hesitate.
"Yeah."
Silence.
Even they weren't expecting that.
Kavin raises a brow.
"Straight answer. Impressive."
MJ whistles softly.
"Man's gone."
"Not gone," I correct calmly.
But even as I say it—
I know.
I'm already further in than I planned to be.
Because this wasn't supposed to happen like this.
It was supposed to be simple.
An engagement.
Something controlled.
Something that made sense.
Not—
this.
Not her looking at me like that.
Not her saying those things.
Not her making it feel real.
"Then what are you going to do?" Thyme asks.
I glance at her again.
She's talking to Gorya now.
More relaxed.
More herself.
And for a second—
I just watch.
"I'm not rushing her," I say.
MJ groans. "Boring."
Kavin smirks. "Predictable."
Thyme nods slightly.
"Right choice."
I don't respond.
Because it's not about being right.
It's about—
not losing her.
Not by pushing too much.
Not by asking for something she's not ready to give.
But also—
not pretending nothing happened.
Because it did.
And I meant it.
Even if she's still figuring it out.
Jay suddenly looks over.
Our eyes meet again.
And this time—
there's no hesitation.
No confusion.
Just—
something quiet.
Something growing.
She smiles slightly.
Not big.
Not obvious.
Just enough.
I feel it.
That small shift.
That small step.
And I know—
I'm already in deeper than I should be.
But for once—
I don't want to step back.