Chapter 12- Slow Dancing Disaster.
538 Words
The moment the slow song started, Jason became everyone’s problem.
“Oh, this is cinema,” he announced dramatically from somewhere behind them. “Actual cinematic excellence.”
“Jason,” Noah warned.
“Nope. Not stopping now.”
Lily covered her face briefly.
Why did this school allow him freedom?
Around them, couples slowly moved toward the open space near the lake while soft music drifted through the trees. Bonfire light reflected against the water, making everything glow gold and orange beneath the night sky.
It was annoyingly romantic.
Which felt deeply unfair.
Ryan smirked knowingly beside them. “So which one of you is gonna crack first?”
“No one is cracking,” Lily said immediately.
“At least pretend to sound convincing,” Ryan replied.
Noah looked exhausted already.
“I hate all of you.”
“Love you too,” Jason called back instantly.
Lily tried not to laugh.
Failed.
And unfortunately—
Noah noticed.
Again.
Something softer appeared in his expression when she laughed now. Less teasing.
More dangerous.
Ryan caught that too.
“Oh my God,” he whispered dramatically. “He’s gone.”
Noah shoved him lightly. “Get out of my face.”
Before Ryan could continue emotionally terrorizing them, another couple bumped into Lily accidentally as they passed toward the dance area.
Lily stumbled sideways slightly—
And Noah caught her immediately.
One hand around her wrist.
The other steady against her waist.
The movement happened so naturally it stole the air from both of them.
For a second, neither moved.
The music played softly in the background while the bonfire crackled nearby.
Lily became painfully aware of how close he was.
Too close.
Close enough to notice the tiny scar near his eyebrow.
Close enough to feel his fingers tighten slightly against her waist.
Noah looked at her like he forgot other people existed.
And honestly?
That was somehow worse.
Jason made a noise so dramatic it sounded medically concerning.
“NOBODY TOUCH ME,” he whisper-screamed. “THIS IS INSANE.”
Emily grabbed his arm excitedly. “I TOLD YOU THEY’D FALL IN LOVE.”
“We are literally watching it happen in real time.”
Lily wanted to disappear into the lake.
Unfortunately, Noah still hadn’t let go of her.
“You okay?” he asked quietly.
There was that voice again.
That soft voice only meant for her.
Lily nodded too quickly. “Yep.”
“Cool.”
“Cool.”
Neither of them moved.
Ryan looked seconds away from losing consciousness from secondhand embarrassment.
“Somebody help me,” he muttered dramatically.
Then—
Noah glanced toward the dance floor.
Then back at Lily.
And for the first time since she met him—
He looked nervous.
Actually nervous.
“Do you…” he started carefully, “wanna dance?”
Oh.
OH.
Lily’s brain completely stopped functioning.
Behind them, Jason physically collapsed onto the grass.
“HE ASKED HER TO DANCE.”
Emily looked ready to cry from happiness.
Ryan covered his face with both hands.
Meanwhile, Lily stared at Noah while her heartbeat attempted to destroy her from the inside.
Because suddenly—
This didn’t feel like flirting anymore.
It felt real.
- Writer
