How Can I Make Him Fall For Me

Chapter 6: Close Enough to Feel

I had convinced myself that I was fearless. Bold. Clever. Strategic.

And then Jason Anderson smiled at me.

Not the casual, polite smile he gave to everyone else. No, this one was different. Slightly softer, just a hint of warmth, as if he was looking past the confident, clumsy front I always put up. And suddenly, fearless Aria Isla felt like a rookie again.

Step seven of my master plan—or whatever number I was on—was simple: spend more one-on-one time with him. Get closer. Learn his habits, his quirks, the little things that made Jason… Jason.

Simple, yes. Executable, maybe. Embarrassingly chaotic? Definitely.

The perfect opportunity came that afternoon. Our photography club had an outdoor assignment: capture candid moments around campus. Naturally, Jason was partnered with me.

I nearly fainted. Alone with him. In daylight. Outdoors. Where anyone could see us.

“Ready?” he asked, adjusting his camera strap with that infuriatingly smooth confidence.

“Yes,” I said, trying to sound casual. “Totally ready.”

We walked side by side, cameras in hand. Every step felt deliberate, like a tiny victory. Every brush of his arm against mine made my heart lurch.

“So,” he said, pretending to study a nearby fountain, “how do you usually take photos?”

“I… wander around,” I admitted, “pretend I know what I’m doing, and hope for the best.”

Jason laughed, soft and warm. “Sounds… accurate.”

We found a quiet spot near the edge of campus, where sunlight spilled across the grass, and the fountain sparkled in the background. Perfect. I tried to act natural as I adjusted my camera.

“You know,” he said suddenly, standing closer than necessary, “I think you might be better at this than you give yourself credit for.”

My chest tightened. “Better? Really?”

“Yes,” he said, tilting his head, that teasing glint in his eye. “You have… perspective. Attention to detail. And I’ve noticed you keep glancing at me.”

I choked on my own breath. “I—I’m… not—”

He smirked. “Relax. It’s fine. I’m not complaining.”

Why did he have to be so infuriatingly charming?

I focused on my camera, pretending to snap photos, but I couldn’t stop glancing at him. Step seven—get closer, learn him—was happening naturally, but my mind screamed that I was dangerously close to revealing just how much I liked him.

“Show me yours,” he said, holding up his camera.

I hesitated, then handed it over. Jason leaned in just a little too close, his shoulder brushing mine, his eyes scanning the screen with interest. I couldn’t breathe. Not normally, not calmly.

“You’re right,” he said softly. “You have an eye for this.”

My face must have betrayed me because he glanced at me, that teasing smirk tugging at his lips. “See? You’re persistent, clever… and not as clumsy as I thought.”

I blinked. “Not clumsy?”

“Not entirely,” he said, leaning back slightly. “Step by step, you’re… growing on me.”

My heart nearly stopped. Growing on him? That was… incredible. But also terrifying. Because the closer I got, the more I realized just how easily I could fall.

We continued our walk, snapping photos, joking about terrible angles, and laughing when a squirrel decided to ruin our perfect shot. I noticed the way he’d glance at me occasionally, lingering just a second longer than necessary.

By the time the sun began to dip behind the buildings, casting golden light across the campus, we were sitting on a bench, cameras resting on our laps. For a long moment, we didn’t speak—just shared a quiet connection.

And then, as if on cue, Madison appeared again, interrupting the fragile bubble of intimacy we’d created.

“Jason! Don’t forget the photography exhibit this weekend!” she called, voice sharp.

Jason sighed, looking at me apologetically. “Duty calls,” he muttered, standing.

I nodded, forcing a smile, but inside, frustration bubbled. She was everywhere. Always a subtle, invisible wall between us.

But then he turned to me, smirk softening, eyes meeting mine.

“Don’t worry,” he said quietly, just for me. “We’ll have plenty of chances. I promise.”

My heart did an erratic flip. I wanted to believe him, trust him… but I knew the path to making Jason Anderson fall for me was just beginning—and it would be messy, chaotic, and unpredictable.

And I was ready.

Because I had a plan.

And no one—not Madison, not anyone—was going to stop me.