Chapter 5 Heartbeat Moment

Sophia had a theory.

That the heart could misinterpret kindness as something more.

Like how, when Daniel said, "You don't have to hide," she replayed it in her head for three days straight like it was a love confession instead of just a kind thing someone says to their best friend's sister.

She told herself not to read into it.

Really, she did.

But then he'd smiled at her - that slow, soft smile of his - and said, "You okay?" again, like he actually cared.

And suddenly, the world felt a little warmer.

Too bad no one else saw what she saw.

"Are you blushing?" Lena asked, squinting at her over lunch. "Because I swear, your face is literally glowing."

"It's just... hot out," Sophia lied pathetically.

Lena rolled her eyes. "Uh-huh. That's why you've been staring at him since we got here."

"I haven't!"

Daniel chose that exact moment to walk by with a plate of snacks, ruffling her hair like always.

Except this time...

He paused.

Just for a second.

"You're being weird today," he said, frowning slightly.

"I'm not!" she squeaked.

He looked at her like he wasn't sure whether to believe her.

Then he shrugged and walked off.

Sophia let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

Lena smirked. "You're so gone."

"I am not," she muttered, poking at her sandwich.

"You are. You look at him like he invented oxygen."

"I do not-"

"Hey, Soph," Nathan interrupted, dropping down beside them. "Why are you staring at my best friend like he's about to propose?"

Sophia choked on her drink.

Daniel, who had been walking past with a soda, stopped mid-step.

"What?" he asked, confused.

Nathan grinned. "I think Soph has a crush on you."

Time froze.

Birds chirped.

The sun blinked.

And Sophia? She very nearly died on the spot.

"I DO NOT!" she shouted, way too loud.

Everyone at the table turned to stare.

Daniel blinked. "What?"

"I mean..." She scrambled for an explanation. "I meant to say... I don't even like pineapple! On pizza! Which is weird because I do like it..."

Daniel stared at her like she'd just spoken in another language.

Nathan laughed. "Wow. Okay. Chill."

Sophia wanted to throw herself into the nearest lake.

Later that night, after the embarrassment of the century, she sat alone on the porch steps, hiding from everyone.

And of course, who showed up but Daniel himself.

He dropped down beside her like it was normal.

"Pineapple on pizza?" he asked, smirking.

She groaned. "Don't remind me."

He chuckled. "You okay?"

She nodded. "Yep. Totally fine. No crushes anywhere. Just a normal human girl."

He gave her a strange look. "Okay then."

There was silence.

Then he added, "You know, if you ever want to talk about stuff... I'm here."

Her heart skipped.

"Stuff?" she repeated, voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah." He shrugged. "Like... feelings or whatever."

She nearly choked again.

"Oh! Feelings! Sure! I feel things all the time. Like hunger. And thirst. And mild social anxiety."

He raised an eyebrow. "You're really weird tonight."

"I'm always weird," she mumbled.

He laughed, shaking his head, and leaned back against the railing like he belonged there forever.

Sophia sat still, trying to control her heartbeat.

Because yes.

She might've read too much into his gestures.

She might've imagined that he was starting to see her differently.

But for now?

It was enough.

Even if he didn't know how much those little moments meant to her.

Even if he thought she was just being "weird."

She was going to keep believing in every small smile, every pause, every time he looked at her just a little longer than usual.

Because maybe - just maybe - one day, he'd realize she wasn't just Nathan's little sister anymore.

Until then, she'd keep smiling through her embarrassing outbursts and awkward confessions.

And hope he never figured out the truth.

At least... not yet.