The next few days passed in a blur, with Zayden and Riley's interactions becoming increasingly more intense, but still strangely tentative. There were moments when the chemistry between them was undeniable, when the air between them seemed to crackle with unspoken desire. But there were other moments—moments when Riley felt like she was slipping away from him again, retreating into the walls she had worked so hard to build.
It was frustrating. And yet, it was familiar.
One afternoon, after a long day of classes, Riley found herself sitting alone on the steps outside the school, staring out at the sunset. The sky was a mix of pinks and purples, a beautiful sight, but she barely noticed it. Her thoughts were consumed by Zayden, as they always were now.
"I thought I'd find you here."
She turned to see Zayden standing a few feet away, his hands tucked casually in the pockets of his jacket. He looked relaxed, as always, but there was something in the way he was watching her—something that made her heart beat a little faster.
"Should I be surprised?" she asked with a small smile, her voice teasing, though her heart was anything but light.
Zayden raised an eyebrow and stepped closer. "Probably not. But I was worried about you. You've been distant."
Riley's smile faded, and she sighed, her shoulders slumping. "I'm just trying to figure things out, Zayden. I'm not used to this... this... thing between us."
He sat down beside her, close but not too close. Just enough to make her acutely aware of his presence. "What is it that you're so afraid of?"
Riley hesitated, biting her lip as she stared ahead. "I don't know. Maybe I'm afraid of how much I need you. How much I want you. I've never needed anyone before. I don't know how to handle it."
Zayden's gaze softened, and he reached over, his hand brushing against hers. This time, there was no hesitation. His touch felt like a promise, a tether pulling her back toward him.
"You don't have to handle it alone," he said quietly. "Let me help. Let me be the one who's there for you, Riley."
Her breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, she was lost in his eyes. She didn't want to need him. She didn't want to want him this badly. But she did. More than she was ready to admit.
"I don't know if I can trust you," she whispered, her voice shaky.
Zayden's expression grew serious, and he placed his other hand on hers, locking their fingers together. "You don't have to trust me all at once, Riley. But trust me enough to let me prove it to you. Trust that I'm not going anywhere."
Riley's heart fluttered in her chest as she met his gaze, and for the first time, she felt like maybe—just maybe—there was a future for them. A future she didn't have to hide from.
She looked down at their intertwined hands, her breath steadying. "Okay," she said quietly, almost as if she was making a promise to herself. "Okay, Zayden. I'll try."