Mira didn't plan for it to happen like this.
It was late—quiet in a way the dorms hadn't been all day. The trip had worn everyone out, and laughter from earlier had faded into soft whispers and closed doors. Mira stood outside the vending machines, heart racing, fingers clenched around her sleeve.
Calvin showed up a minute later, hands in his pockets like always.
"You texted like it was urgent," he said lightly. "Everything okay?"
She nodded. Then shook her head. Then sighed.
"I—I just needed to talk," she said.
Calvin tilted his head, giving her his full attention. "I'm listening."
Mira swallowed. "I know this might sound sudden, but I didn't want to keep pretending it wasn't there." She looked up at him, eyes steady despite how nervous she felt. "I like you. More than a friend."
Silence.
Her heart dropped.
Then Calvin smiled—but not his usual teasing grin. This one was softer. Real.
"Oh," he said quietly. "So you finally said it."
She blinked. "Finally?"
He laughed under his breath and rubbed the back of his neck. "Mira… I've liked you too. For a while."
Her eyes widened. "You—what?"
"Yeah," he said, a little embarrassed now. "I just didn't want to rush you. You're new here. New school. New everything. I figured I'd just… be normal. Get to know you properly."
She stared at him for a second, then laughed—a breathless, relieved sound. "So I stressed myself out for nothing?"
"Pretty much," he said, smiling. "But I'm glad you told me."
"So… what now?" she asked.
Calvin shrugged, stepping just a little closer. "Now we do this the simple way. We hang out. Talk. See where it goes."
She smiled back. "I'd like that."
From across the hallway, Hinata watched with Xavier beside her. She nudged him gently. "Looks like it worked out."
Xavier nodded. "They deserve it."
As Calvin and Mira walked back toward the dorms together—side by side, not touching, but closer than before—it felt like something warm had settled into place.
Not rushed.
Not dramatic.
Just two people finally meeting in the middle.
And somehow, that made everything else feel possible too.