Chapter 6 SLOW BURN

I could not wait for Friday to come and it came faster than expected. I tired keeping myself occupied by other thoughts but it all kept going back to Nath. Friday came faster than I expected. I kept thinking about our kiss - the way his lips felt against mine, the way he looked at me like i was worth something, oh the list goes on.

By evening when the sun began to set, i found myself searching for an outfit to compliment the occasion. i did not want to assume but a part of me told me this was not just about coffee, it was something more. something i was sure either of us was not ready to put a name to yet. just as i was putting my hair into a bun, a message popped up on my phone and it was from Nath. Nath: I'm outside. No rush, but hurry-I want the best view of the sunset.

I grabbed my bag and took a deep breath before heading out.

We drove to a café outside the school environment. It smelled of freshly baked goodies, vanilla and brewed coffee. Nath had already ordered our drinks by the time I slid into the seat across from him. His usual black coffee sat in front of him, while a chocolate milkshake, just the way I liked it, waited for me.

"You remembered," I said, smiling as I wrapped my fingers around the warm cup.

"Of course." He took a sip of his drink, his gaze steady on mine. "I pay attention."

That simple statement sent warmth through me that had nothing to do with the coffee.

We talked about everything and nothing-our classes, the ridiculous amount of work we had piling up, how the lecturer had embarrassed someone today by asking an impossible question. It felt easy, just like always, but beneath the words, there was an unspoken tension.

Something was going on between us and we both knew it.

After we finished our drinks, we drove to a quiet spot on the outskirts of town, where the sun was setting endlessly before us. We sat on the hood of his car, the cool evening breeze brushing against our skin as we watched the sun dip lower.

"This is nice," I murmured.

Nath glanced at me, his expression unreadable. "Yeah, it is."

A comfortable silence settled between us. I wanted to ask what we were doing, where this was going, but I was afraid of ruining the moment.

The air was thick with our silence and it compelled me to talk. "So, uh, about the kiss ..." I began, my voice barely above a whisper and i was not sure how to navigate the conversation. Nath turned to me, his beautiful eyes bright and curious. "Yeah? What about it?" I could see the teasing glint in his eyes, and it made my stomach flutter. He was enjoying this, and a part of me felt emboldened by his playful demeanour. "It was... unexpected, to say the least." "Unexpected? You were the one who suggested it!" he teased, his lips curling into a mischievous smile. "You can't just throw out a challenge like that and expect me to ignore it." I rolled my eyes, but there was a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "I meant it as a joke, you know. I did not think you would actually... do it." His expression softened, and for a moment, there was a seriousness in his gaze that made my heart skip a beat. "Well, maybe I am glad I did. It felt... right." My breath hitched, and I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks. "Right? Really?" I asked, almost incredulously. "Yeah," he said simply, his gaze unwavering. I was about to say something but i could not. Then, just when I thought the words would stay stuck in my throat forever, he spoke.

"Ava..." His voice was softer than usual. "That kiss-was it just a challenge to you?"

I turned to look at him, my breath hitching. He was not smiling, was not teasing. He was serious.

I swallowed. "No. It was not."

His lips parted slightly, like he had not expected my honesty. "So, what was it, then?"

I hesitated for only a second before answering. "Something I wanted."

A slow, knowing smile spread across his face. "Good." And before I could respond, before I could let the nerves take over, he closed the space between us, his lips brushing against mine once again.

This time, I kissed him back without hesitation.

And this time, I didn't want it to end.

My heart thumped in my chest after the kiss, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what I wanted to say next. "So, what does this mean for us?" He shrugged lightly, a hint of uncertainty flickering in his eyes. ''i guess it means we figure it out together. Whatever that looks like." I appreciated his honesty, how he did not shy away from the situation. "Together? Like, as more than friends?" The path ahead grew quieter as we stepped away from the bustling crowd of students, the soft rustle of leaves filling the space where words lingered. "I think so," he replied, the sincerity in his voice making my heart race. "If you're open to it." This was both terrifying and exhilarating and I had never allowed myself to consider him as anything other than a friend, a companion through the ups and downs of college life. But now, with the taste of that kiss lingering in the air between us, I found it impossible to ignore the magnetic pull that drew me to him. "I am open to it," I admitted, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me. "I just do not want to mess things up. Our friendship means so much to me." Nath nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Me too. But I think if we are honest with each other, we can get through whatever comes next. We do not have to rush into anything, Maybe we can take it slow.

It was almost midnight by the time Nath finally dropped me off at my dorm.

The car engine hummed softly as we sat in silence, neither of us quite ready to say goodbye. My fingers toyed with the edge of my sweater as I tried to put everything I was feeling into words.

"I had a really good time tonight," I said finally, glancing at him.

Nath turned to me, a lazy smile playing on his lips. "Me too."

A beat of silence.

Then, softly, "So what now?"

I exhaled, staring at my hands. "I do not know."

I did not want to rush into anything. I did not want to put a label on whatever was happening between us, but at the same time, I knew this was not nothing.

He reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. His touch was light, but it sent a shiver down my spine.

"I do not want to mess this up," he admitted.

I looked up at him, my chest tightening. "Me neither."

He nodded as if he understood exactly what I meant.

"Let us just... take our time?" I suggested.

His smile widened. "I like the sound of that."

Another silence. Another moment suspended in time.

Then, with a deep breath, I reached for the car door. "Goodnight, Nath."

"Goodnight, Ava."

And as I walked toward my dorm, my heart felt lighter than it had in a long, long time.