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I woke up early the next morning, the kind of early where the sky still felt sleepy.
I had class, so I got ready quietly and headed out.
When I walked into the hall, the first person I saw was Rav.
He gave me a small wave.
That was the thing about Rav—
even though he knew my heart had shifted, he wasn't bitter.
He wasn't cold.
His feelings were still there, maybe softer now, maybe something he was trying to tuck away… but his gaze was still warm. Soft. Understanding.
I smiled back before finding a seat.
Class passed by slowly, my mind drifting in and out, and when it finally ended, I walked outside—and froze.
Denzel was waiting for me.
He stood by the railing, hands in his pockets, his eyes finding mine in that steady way he always did. He didn't say anything dramatic, just, "Ready?"
And somehow, that was enough.
We walked to his place together, and when he opened the door, my breath caught.
It wasn't flashy.
It wasn't dramatic.
It was simple, thoughtful, and so… him.
A few soft lights, a small arrangement on the table, things placed in that gentle, careful way he always did everything.
"Maya," he said, turning toward me, "I wanted to ask you something the right way."
My heart felt like it leaned forward before I did.
He took a breath.
"Will you be my girlfriend?"
A warmth spread through me so quickly it almost felt like light.
"Yes," I said, without hesitation. "Of course, yes."
He smiled—slow and real—and pulled me into the softest hug.
Everything after that felt like a dream I didn't want to wake from.
We spent the day together doing little things—talking, laughing, listening to music, sharing space in the easy way we always had.
The closeness between us deepened, warm and tender, and we shared moments that felt meaningful, private, and full of love… the kind that made my chest feel full.
Before night came, I texted Lily that I'd spend the night.
She sent a string of heart emojis and a "BE SAFE AND BE HAPPY ❤️".
The rest of the night was quiet and beautiful.
Just me and Denzel, doing the things we loved—talking about everything and nothing, teasing each other, sharing stories from when we were younger, letting time stretch softly around us.
And somewhere between all of it, I realized:
This was the change I had been yearning for.
Not drama.
Not chaos.
Just someone who saw me, chose me, and held space for me in the gentlest way.
And I fell asleep that night knowing my life had just shifted into something new—
something full of peace, and possibility, and the kind of love I had never experienced before.
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