"Elise…"
Her name echoed in the dark. She turned, and there was Davon, his red eyes glowing faintly beneath the moonlight. His voice was soft, full of warmth and sadness. "I never stopped loving you."
Her heart fluttered, her lips parted to speak—
And then she woke up.
Elise gasped, sitting upright. The morning sunlight streamed through her curtains, scattering gold across her face. Her heart was pounding so loud it hurt. Sweat clung to her skin, and for a second, she just sat there, staring at her trembling hands.
A dream…?
She pressed a palm to her chest, trying to steady her breathing. But it felt too real—his voice, his eyes, the way her heart had throbbed with something that felt almost familiar.
"Elise?" Patricia's sleepy voice drifted from across the room. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Elise lied quickly. "Just… a weird dream."
It was Saturday—the first weekend since the chaos of the kidnapping and recovery. For once, the school was quiet, the air light with the sound of laughter and chatter instead of fear.
So when Anastasia suggested they go shopping to "get their minds off all the crazy," no one argued. Even Devin and Lucian agreed, though Lucian looked like he'd rather be napping.
The group found themselves in the city center, surrounded by bright stores, the smell of coffee, and street music playing somewhere nearby. Elise tried to shake off the strange feeling lingering from her dream, but every time she looked at Davon, her stomach twisted.
He noticed, of course. He always did.
"You're quiet," he said as they walked side by side, bags in hand. "You usually talk nonstop when we go out."
She glared at him, though her cheeks flushed slightly. "That's not true."
"It is," he teased, leaning slightly closer. "You're just mad because I'm right."
She rolled her eyes, but couldn't help smiling. "You're insufferable."
Davon chuckled softly, the sound making her chest tighten for no reason she could explain. They stopped at a small stall selling handmade bracelets, and Elise picked one up absentmindedly.
"It suits you," Davon said quietly, his tone softer now.
She looked up—and froze.
His gaze wasn't teasing anymore. It was deep, steady, and warm. The way he looked at her made her forget where she was, what she was supposed to say. The air between them shifted, heavy and fragile all at once.
Her heartbeat quickened. His eyes flicked down to her lips for just a second—barely noticeable, but enough to make her blush.
"Davon…" she whispered, unsure what she was even about to say.
He stepped a little closer, his voice lower now. "You've been spacing out since morning. Did something happen?"
She hesitated. Should I tell him about the dream? It felt too weird, too personal. So she just shook her head. "It's nothing."
He didn't look convinced. "You sure?"
She nodded again, though her heart said otherwise.
They stood there for a long moment, the world around them fading into background noise. The music, the chatter, the sunlight—it all blurred until it was just the two of them.
Davon reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face, his fingers grazing her cheek. The touch sent a jolt through her entire body.
He leaned in—slowly, carefully—like he was giving her time to stop him if she wanted.
Her breath hitched. She didn't move.
Their faces were inches apart—
"Hey lovebirds!"
Ellie's voice pierced through the moment like a dagger.
Elise jumped back, her cheeks burning as Ellie grinned mischievously, holding up two cups of bubble tea. "Didn't know I was interrupting a rom-com scene."
Davon sighed, running a hand through his hair to hide his smirk. "Perfect timing as always, Ellie."
"You're welcome," she said sweetly, clearly enjoying the awkward silence she'd created.
Elise glared at her but took the drink anyway, refusing to meet Davon's eyes. He chuckled quietly, watching her pout.
As they walked back to rejoin the group, Davon leaned in just enough for her to hear him.
"Next time," he murmured, "I'm not letting her interrupt."
Elise's heart skipped a beat—and she pretended to focus on her drink, hiding her smile.