Imani’s POV
I didn’t answer Nicolas that night.
Not because I hadn’t heard him. Not because I didn’t understand what he was asking.
But because the moment I walked away from him, my chest felt like it had been split open, and I needed time to figure out what was actually bleeding.
I walked across campus without a destination, my thoughts spiraling in uneven circles. The evening air was cool, brushing against my skin like a reminder to stay grounded. Students passed me in clusters, laughing, talking about assignments, weekend plans.
I felt separate from all of it.
Because somewhere between his apology and his quiet, desperate let me try again, something had shifted inside me.
I wanted to say no, but I didn’t.
That was the part that scared me most.
I should have said no. Maybe even
