The next afternoon Ariana reached the park ten minutes early.
She told herself she just didn't want to be late.
But the truth was she couldn't sit at home anymore.
Her hands kept fixing small things again and again.
Her hair.
Her bag strap.
Her phone.
"Relax," she whispered to herself.
People were walking around the park. Kids were playing near the swings. Everything looked normal.
But her heartbeat didn't feel normal.
Then she saw him.
Nick was walking toward her from the other side of the path.
For a second she didn't move.
He looked… different today.
Not completely different.
Just a little more dressed up than usual.
And in his hand—
He was holding a small bouquet of flowers.
Her brain stopped working.
"Why does he have flowers?" she thought.
Nick stopped in front of her.
"Hi," he said with a small smile.
"Hi," she replied, trying to act normal.
He handed her the bouquet.
"These are for you."
She stared at them for a second before taking them.
"You didn't have to bring flowers."
"I wanted to."
Her heart did something strange inside her chest.
They started walking slowly through the park.
The conversation was simple at first.
"How was school today?"
"Same as usual."
"Still planning to study all evening?"
He kept teasing her the same way he always did.
But today felt different.
Because he was actually standing next to her.
At one point they found an empty bench under a tree and sat down.
For a few minutes they just talked about random things.
Exams. Teachers. Lily.
Ariana was holding the flowers carefully in her lap.
Nick leaned back slightly on the bench.
"You look less stressed now," he said.
"Because exams are over."
"Or because you missed me."
She gave him a look.
"Don't start."
He laughed quietly.
The wind moved lightly through the trees.
For a moment neither of them said anything.
Nick turned slightly toward her.
He was closer now.
Close enough that she noticed the way he was looking at her.
Her heartbeat started getting faster.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked softly.
"I'm thinking."
"That sounds dangerous."
He smiled.
Then he moved a little closer.
Not suddenly.
Slowly.
Like he was giving her time to move away if she wanted.
But she didn't.