chapter16:Show You Off
440 Words
(Azel’s POV)
The morning sun was warm, but my stomach was tight with nerves.
I spotted Blaze waiting near the school gate, leaning casually against the wall.
As I walked toward him, his eyes lifted and locked onto mine—steady and sure.
Without a word, he stepped forward and reached for my hand.
In front of everyone.
His fingers wrapped around mine, warm and firm.
A buzz of whispers and glances rippled through the crowd, but Blaze didn’t let go.
He gave me a small, confident smile.
“Hey,” he said softly.
“Hey,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
He tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his touch gentle.
“I’m sorry for denying us earlier,” he said, eyes serious. “I was scared. Confused. But I’m not anymore.”
I looked up, surprised by how real he sounded.
“You’re not just a secret to me,” he added, squeezing my hand.
“You’re everything.”
The way he said it made my heart ache—in the best way possible.
And holding his hand there, for everyone to see, I felt like maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something real.
---
The rest of the day was a blur of whispers and sideways looks.
Rina caught me by my locker with that mischievous grin I know too well.
“So,” she said, nudging me. “Blaze finally making it official, huh?”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t hide the smile tugging at my lips.
Before I could answer, Micah appeared, his face tight.
“Official?” he asked, voice low but sharp. “What’s official?”
Rina didn’t miss a beat. “Oh, come on, Micah. You really don’t know?”
Micah’s jaw clenched. “Azel, what’s going on?”
I looked away, feeling the weight of his stare. “It’s complicated.”
He didn’t press further, but his expression said everything.
---
Later, Liam found me at lunch and slid into the seat beside me.
He smiled, but there was something softer in his eyes. “Congrats,” he said quietly, nodding toward the whispers about Blaze and me.
“Thanks,” I said, unsure what else to say.
He looked at me for a long moment. “I’m happy for you. Really.”
I nodded, feeling the weight of it all settle in my chest.
He added, almost like an afterthought, “If you ever want to talk… or if things change...”
I met his gaze but didn’t answer right away.
Because right now, I didn’t have the answers either.
---
- Writer
