For her dreams

Untitled Episode

The weeks that followed stitched Kael and Amira’s paths more tightly together.

The animal shelter held two more volunteer weekends, and both times Kael signed up without hesitation. To the rest of the club, it seemed surprising that he kept returning Kael, the one who muttered at cats and winced at scratches, but Amira thought differently. She saw in him a willingness to step outside his comfort zone, and that made her heart soften.

Each Saturday ended the same way: Kael offered to drive her back to campus. The first time, she protested, “I can walk, it’s fine,” but he had smiled, casual and easy, and jingled his car keys. “It’s late, Amira.” Let me.” She agreed. By the second time, it felt natural.

And after the third event, when they piled into his car smelling faintly of fur and disinfectant, Kael broke the rhythm. “You know,” he said, glancing at her as he turned the key. We should get ice cream. You’ve earned it.

Amira laughed nervously, brushing hair from her damp forehead. “Like this?” I’m a mess. Look at me.”

He pulled out of the shelter’s parking lot, eyes flicking toward her. “I am looking,” he said simply. “And I don’t see a mess." I see beautiful.

The words landed like a stone in water, rippling through her. Amira turned toward the window, biting her lip to hide the smile that wanted to break free. At the ice cream parlor, she chose strawberries, her fingers sticky as she tried to keep up with the melting scoops. Kael teased her gently, handing her napkins, and she laughed so hard she forgot how exhausted she was. On the way back, he pulled into a small store. “Wait here,” he said before she could ask questions. She watched through the window as he walked inside, tall and sure, disappearing among the shelves. When he returned, he handed her a small package.

“Open it,” he urged. Inside was a scarf soft, delicate, in a shade of blue that brought out the warmth of her skin. Amira blinked at it, stunned. No one had ever given her something so thoughtful, so unnecessary, yet so kind. “I saw it,” Kael explained with a shrug, “and thought of you. Simple.” Her hands trembled slightly as she held it. “Kael… I don’t even know what to say.” “Don’t say anything,” he replied, eyes on the road as he started the car again. “Just wear it.”

Amira clutched the scarf to her chest the rest of the ride, her heart unsteady. She couldn’t believe someone like him, a boy admired by so many, popular and confident, had noticed her this way, seen her through her imperfections, and still chosen to make her feel special. She didn’t know then that Kael had rehearsed each move, that he knew exactly how to layer his charm. To her, it was magic.

And at that moment, Amira believed she was the luckiest girl alive.

It wasn’t long before whispers began to ripple through campus. Amira, the quiet science prodigy, was suddenly being seen with Kael, the charming nursing student, basketball player, and boy who seemed to glide through social circles. Not everyone was pleased.

Becky, one of the cheerleaders, had noticed Kael’s drifting attention. She was used to being the girl on his arm during parties, the one whose pictures he appeared in, the one who received his playful texts at midnight. And now, suddenly, she was replaced. By Amira of all people, bookish, reserved, tucked away in labs and animal cages.

One afternoon, Becky cornered Amira outside the library. Her perfume was strong, her makeup sharp under the fading light. “You really think you belong with him?” Becky’s voice dripped with disdain. “Don’t fool yourself.” You’re just… a distraction. He’ll get bored. Amira froze, clutching her books tighter. Her heart thudded painfully, but she forced her face into calm. “I don’t have time for this,” she whispered, stepping around Becky. But inside, her hands shook.

That night, she told Kael. Her voice trembled as she recounted the confrontation. His jaw tightened, and he reached across the table to take her hand. “Don’t ever let Becky or anyone else make you doubt yourself,” he said firmly. We are good friends. That’s what matters. I’ll handle it.

And handle it he did. Within days, Becky’s sharp glares dulled into silence. Kael had spoken to her or threatened, perhaps, and the problem disappeared as quickly as it had come. Amira felt safe, protected, her chest warm with gratitude. But safety was only an illusion.

One evening, Amira was walking back to her dorm after a late lab session. The campus was quiet, shadows stretching long under the dim glow of streetlights. She hugged her books close, quickening her pace when she heard footsteps behind her. A group of boys emerged from the corner, their laughter low and sharp. “Hey, pretty girl,” one of them called. “Where are you rushing to?”

Amira’s stomach knotted. She tried to keep walking, but the boys circled, their words turning cruel, their movements closing her in. Her heart raced, panic rising in her throat. And then Kael appeared. His voice sliced through the night. “Back off.”

The boys hesitated, smirking, then drifted away with muttered curses, as if deciding it wasn’t worth the trouble. Kael stepped forward, his eyes blazing, and gently pulled Amira to his side. “Are you okay?" Did they touch you?” His concern was tangible, wrapping around her like a shield.

Amira shook her head, tears threatening. Relief washed over her, trembling in every limb. “I was so scared,” she admitted, her voice breaking. He held her tighter. “You don’t ever have to be scared when I’m around." I’ll always protect you.” She believed him. With every fiber of her being, she believed him.

What she didn’t know she couldn’t have imagined was that Kael had arranged it. The boys were acquaintances, willing to play the part for a favor. He had staged the danger so he could step in as her savior.

And at that moment, as Amira clung to him with trembling hands, Kael knew he

Had secured her trust completely. Amira rushed into the dorm, cheeks glowing, heart still racing. Her roommate, Laila, looked up from her bed with a sly grin. “Don’t even tell me,” Laila teased, pointing at her flushed face. “You’re in love with Kael.” Amira covered her face with both hands, groaning. Stop it, Laila. It’s not like that. But Laila only laughed, rolling her eyes. Please, you haven’t stopped talking about him for weeks. And now he’s saving you at night like some hero in a drama? Girl, this is a textbook romance.

Amira bit her lip, not daring to deny it. Deep down, she was starting to believe Kael might be the one. He made her feel noticed, safe, even special.

When Kael finally asked her out, Amira could hardly breathe. She had never been on a real date before. Laila, despite her cautious tone, squealed with excitement and insisted on helping.

For three days straight, Laila gave Amira little “lessons” how to walk gracefully, how to sit like a lady, how to let a boy open doors for her, even how to smile without looking too nervous. Amira giggled through the awkward tutorials, but she listened. For the first time, she wondered what it might feel like to really be seen as…girly.