rted just af

cross the sky and rain streaked the window beside her. The soft hum of lo-fi music play

alked to Jac

ever happe

f themselves, they always checked in. A meme. A voice note. A late-night

was kil

e. Her thumb hovered over

, the sound of knocking echoed through

nked, s

cracked

ock. This

barefoot, heart racing

e he

to th

d, his hoodie clinging to his chest, his breathing a little ragg

her

der boom

side wordlessl

against it for a second longer than

at?" she asked, trying

ize it was gonna pour u

uld've

ould'v

eath c

er messages," he added sof

ard. "You're dri

ric clung, revealing a plain black t-shirt plastered to his body. Zara's eyes

cu

she murmured, disappea

elbows on his knees, shirt clinging to him like a second skin. S

t to him. "About the party. About

way. His eyes studied he

, Z," he said finally. "Even i

d down at

o do this," she adm

wh

anting someone.

lightly, but she did

y mom, my sister, myself. I don't know how to

e to let me do everything. Just...

s damp, his jaw tense, but his eyes-tho

f, she reached up and brushe

ove. Didn't

d, fingertips gr

to her touch

r hand. Not even when her thumb drifted down the edge

now she could see the gold

breathed, v

h hitched

me to

di

k. His forehead leaned into hers. They sat there, brea

th

e brush

kiss.

per. A test

lips

distance, lightning cracked outside the

r ou

instinctively,

under his br

ly. "I'll find a ca

reaching for he

fr

dn't

the storm outside, and the hum

to be scared,"

m n

. Of thi

e it means something. And I do

aid firmly. "Not

ds. His thumb was stroking s

whispered. "

planning o

facing the ceiling. Neithe

s traded for the spare sweats he'd left in her drawer weeks ag

" he murmured

op

overthi

way

be

ant me to

breath

"Yeah.

warmth settled around her like a blanket. One arm wrapped around her waist. His other hand sli

close

her shoulder on

, finally,