Dear readers:
It really was an accident.
At least—that's what I told myself.
The dorm hallway was louder than usual, people moving around, Calvin calling out something behind us, Mira laughing somewhere near the stairs. I turned too quickly at the exact same time Xavier stepped closer to say something.
We collided.
Not hard—just enough to throw me off balance.
My hand grabbed the front of his hoodie instinctively. His hand caught my arm to steady me.
And then—
Our lips brushed.
It wasn't planned.
It wasn't smooth.
It lasted barely a second.
But it was real.
We froze.
I pulled back first, eyes wide, heart pounding so loudly I was sure everyone could hear it.
"I— I'm so sorry," I blurted out.
Xavier stared at me, just as stunned. "No— I mean— it's fine. I was the one who—"
Silence fell between us, thick and electric.
Calvin's voice broke it instantly. "Oh."
Mira gasped. "OH."
"I swear—" I started, panicking. "That was an accident."
Calvin crossed his arms, smirking. "Sure. A very… precise accident."
Xavier cleared his throat, cheeks slightly red. "It really was."
But he didn't look upset.
If anything, he looked… thoughtful.
The rest of the evening felt different.
Not awkward—just charged.
When we sat down later, Xavier left a small space between us. Respectful. Careful. But every time our knees almost touched, my heart jumped.
Before lights-out, as everyone settled down, Xavier spoke quietly so only I could hear.
"Hinata."
I turned toward him.
"…Are you okay?"
I nodded. "Yeah. I am."
He hesitated, then added softly, "Me too."
That was it.
No apology.
No explanation.
No confession.
Just an accident that lingered in my thoughts long after I closed my eyes.
Because accidents don't usually make your heart feel this warm.
And they definitely don't make you hope—just a little—that it might happen again.