My 30 days Roomate

Episode 9:This Close

The word still hung in the air.

*You.*

—

Neither of them moved.

Neither of them spoke.

Because once something like that is said—

There’s no taking it back.

—

He stared at her.

As if making sure he heard it right.

“…Me?”

Her heart pounded.

But this time—

She didn’t look away.

“…You.”

A beat.

Then another.

—

“…Say it again,” he said quietly.

“…Why?”

“…Because I want to hear it properly.”

Her fingers tightened slightly at her side.

“…I like you.”

There it was.

Clear.

No hesitation.

No confusion.

—

Something shifted in his expression.

Not teasing.

Not guarded.

Just—

Real.

—

“…You took your time,” he murmured.

“…I was confused.”

“…You’re not now?”

“…No.”

A small silence.

Then—

“…Good.”

—

He stepped closer.

Slowly.

Carefully.

As if giving her time to stop him.

But she didn’t.

—

Her breath grew uneven.

“…You’re doing that thing again.”

“…What thing?”

“…Getting too close.”

“…And?”

“…And—”

Her words disappeared.

Because he was right there now.

Closer than ever.

—

“…You didn’t stop me,” he said softly.

“…I didn’t say you could continue either.”

“…You didn’t say no.”

Her heart raced faster.

“…You’re twisting things again.”

“…Only a little.”

—

Another step.

Now—

There was barely any space left.

—

“…If I move closer,” he said quietly,

“…will you stop me?”

She swallowed.

Her voice barely there.

“…I don’t know.”

“…Then I’ll find out.”

—

And he did.

—

He closed the distance.

Not completely.

Not yet.

But enough that—

She could feel his breath.

Warm.

Unsteady.

Matching hers.

—

Her fingers trembled slightly.

Not from fear.

From something else.

Something stronger.

—

“…This is your fault,” she whispered.

“…How?”

“…You started this.”

“…You said my name.”

“…You asked for it!”

“…And you gave it.”

—

A pause.

Their eyes locked.

Neither of them backing down.

—

“…If I do this,” he said softly,

“…I’m not joking anymore.”

Her heart skipped.

“…You haven’t been joking for a while.”

A faint smile ghosted his lips.

“…Good.”

—

His hand lifted—

Slowly.

Carefully.

As if asking permission without words.

—

It brushed lightly against her cheek.

Warm.

Gentle.

Completely different from before.

—

Her breath caught.

“…You’re shaking,” he murmured.

“…So are you.”

“…Only a little.”

“…Liar.”

—

He leaned in.

Closer.

Closer—

—

And then—

She stopped him.

Not by pushing him away.

But by grabbing his shirt.

Holding him there.

—

“…Wait,” she whispered.

He stilled instantly.

“…What?”

Her eyes searched his.

“…If we do this…”

A pause.

“…It changes everything.”

“…I know.”

“…No more ‘just roommates.’”

“…I know.”

“…No more pretending.”

“…I don’t want to pretend.”

—

Her grip tightened slightly.

“…Then don’t make me regret it.”

His gaze softened.

“…I won’t.”

—

A moment.

Quiet.

Heavy.

Certain.

—

Then—

She let go.

Not of him—

But of the hesitation.

—

And this time—

When he leaned in—

She didn’t stop him.

—

The distance disappeared.

Soft.

Careful.

Almost unsure—

—

Their lips met.

—

For a second—

Everything went still.

No thoughts.

No doubts.

No confusion.

—

Just—

That.

—

Then slowly—

They pulled back.

Not far.

Just enough to breathe.

—

Her heart was racing.

His too.

—

“…That wasn’t very ‘pretending,’” she whispered.

“…Good.”

“…You’re not even denying it.”

“…I don’t want to.”

—

A small silence.

Then—

“…We just kissed,” she said softly.

“…We did.”

“…So what now?”

He looked at her.

No hesitation this time.

—

“…Now we stop pretending.”

Her lips curved slightly.

“…Finally.”

—

But neither of them moved away.

Still close.

Still within reach.

—

As if both of them knew—

This was just the beginning.