That night, the dorm was unusually still.
Calvin and Mira were already asleep in the other room, their laughter from earlier replaced by soft silence. I stood by my bed for a long moment, watching the steady rise and fall of Xavier's chest as he slept on the other side of the room.
He looked peaceful. Different from how he was during the day—no teasing, no calm confidence. Just quiet.
My heart thumped nervously.
"I'm not doing anything wrong," I whispered to myself. "Just… saying thank you."
I stepped closer, careful not to make a sound.
For a second, I hesitated. Then I leaned down and pressed a quick, gentle kiss to his cheek—so light it was almost nothing at all.
Just a moment.
Just enough.
I pulled back immediately, heart racing, and turned away before he could even stir. Crawling back into my bed, I stared at the ceiling, cheeks warm, mind spinning.
It wasn't dramatic.
It wasn't bold.
But it felt like a promise—to myself more than anyone else.
That maybe I was ready to like someone again.
That maybe this slow, careful feeling was okay.
Behind me, Xavier shifted slightly, a faint smile appearing for just a second before fading again.
And neither of us said a word.
But somehow…
everything felt different now.