Katelyn and Lucas walked home from school hand in hand, the warmth of their connection filling the comfortable silence between them. The late afternoon sun cast a soft golden glow over the quiet streets, but Lucas’s curiosity was bubbling beneath the surface.

“So,” Lucas finally broke the silence, his thumb brushing gently over Katelyn’s hand, “what did your friend Zach want to talk about?”

Katelyn hesitated, glancing at him. “Are you sure you want to hear it?”

Lucas raised an eyebrow, his curiosity deepening. “Is it that bad?”

“No, it’s not bad. I just don’t want to tell you anything that might upset you,” Katelyn replied, chewing her lip nervously.

Lucas chuckled, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Now you’ve got me really curious. It’s okay—you can tell me anything.”

Katelyn took a deep breath, deciding it was best to be honest. “Zach confessed his feelings for me. He asked if I would consider being with him.”

Lucas paused for a second, his grip on her hand tightening slightly. “Okay… and what did you say?”

Katelyn smiled softly and swung their intertwined hands. “Well, I’m holding your hand right now, aren’t I? So, don’t you think I told him no?”

Lucas laughed, the tension easing from his shoulders. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” He pulled her closer, holding her hand a little tighter, as if reminding himself that she had chosen him.

“There’s one more thing,” Katelyn added, her voice softer now. “I hugged him after we talked. I felt so bad for him, and I just wanted him to know we were still friends.”

Lucas glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “It’s okay. I understand.”

“Are you sure?” Katelyn asked, searching his face for any sign of doubt. “I didn’t want you to hear about it from someone else in case anyone saw us hugging.”

Lucas stopped walking and turned to face her fully, his gaze sincere. “Really, it’s okay. Thank you for telling me.”

Katelyn breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for his understanding. “I just felt bad after he told me he’s liked me for years, but I don’t feel the same way about him.”

Lucas looked down for a moment, then back up at her, his voice quieter now. “Are you sure you feel that way about me?”

Katelyn blinked in surprise. “What do you mean?”

“I mean,” Lucas continued, his voice unsure for the first time, “we’ve just reconnected after years of not seeing each other, and we’ve been pushed into this engagement. Are you really sure about me?”

Katelyn’s lips curled into a playful smile as she stopped walking, turning to face him. “You want to know a secret?”

Lucas’s curiosity piqued again. “What is it?”

Katelyn leaned in, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “I’ll tell you tonight… if you’re good. Meet me at 8 on the balcony after dinner.”

Lucas’s smile widened, a hint of excitement sparking in his eyes. “Okay. I’m looking forward to it.”

———————————————————————————

When they arrived home, Katelyn and Lucas greeted their families as usual before heading off to their rooms to finish their homework. Dinner that evening was lively, but Lucas couldn’t stop thinking about Katelyn’s words. What could she possibly have to tell him? And what was this secret she was keeping? His curiosity was eating him alive.

As dinner came to a close and everyone said their goodnights, Lucas found himself counting the minutes until 8 o’clock. He had something he wanted to share with Katelyn too, something he hadn’t been able to put into words until now.

Meanwhile, Katelyn was in her room, her nerves fluttering in her stomach. She wanted to be honest with Lucas, to tell him how she truly felt. But there was always that small part of her that worried—what if her feelings weren’t reciprocated? What if this engagement was all they had? Yet, she knew she couldn’t keep it inside any longer.

She hurried to the bathroom to freshen up, brushing her teeth and reapplying her lip gloss. Smiling at her reflection, she smoothed her hair and felt a wave of calm settle over her. Tonight would be the night she shared her truth with Lucas.

At exactly 8 o’clock, Katelyn stepped out onto the balcony that connected her room to Lucas’s. The evening air was cool, the sky awash with stars that twinkled above. She glanced across the space and saw Lucas already standing there, waiting, leaning casually against the railing with a smile that made her heart flutter.

“There you are,” Lucas said softly, his voice carrying easily in the quiet night. “I was starting to wonder if you’d forgotten.”

Katelyn shook her head, smiling as she walked over to him. “I haven’t forgotten. I just needed a minute to get ready.”

Lucas’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “So, are you going to tell me this secret of yours?”

Katelyn took a deep breath, gathering her courage. “Okay, here it goes. The truth is... I’ve liked you since we were kids. Even before this whole engagement thing, I had a little crush on you. And now, well, I think those feelings have just gotten stronger since we reconnected.”

Lucas stared at her, a mix of surprise and something else—something warm and tender—filling his expression. “You... liked me even back then?”

Katelyn nodded, feeling vulnerable but determined to be honest. “Yeah, I did. And being with you now... it just feels right.”

Lucas stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hers. “You want to know something too?”

Katelyn smiled, her heart pounding. “What’s that?”

Lucas reached for her hand, holding it gently. “I’ve been falling for you since the moment we reconnected. I wasn’t sure if you felt the same, but hearing you say this... it makes me really happy.”

Katelyn’s breath caught in her throat as Lucas’s words washed over her. “Really?”

Lucas nodded, his smile soft and sincere. “Really.”

Without thinking, Katelyn leaned forward, closing the distance between them. She pressed her lips to his, and for a moment, everything else fell away. It was just them, standing under the stars, sharing a kiss that felt like the beginning of something real.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless, their eyes locked.

“So,” Lucas whispered, his voice low and full of emotion, “what now?”

Katelyn grinned. “Now? We see where this takes us. Together.”

Lucas smiled, pulling her into a gentle embrace. “Together,” he echoed, holding her close as the night sky stretched endlessly above them.