Elena's POV
This was dangerous territory. I knew that.
Not because she was unavailable. Not because someone else might be with her. Not even because of the mess it could create.
But because I had already crossed the point of pretending I didn't care.
Because I was tired of making this only about silent obsession. I was tired of being silent. Tired of only observing. I was ready to turn that silent obsession into something else. To pursue her directly. To be honest about wanting her. Not like before, when I knew I had no chance. Not like that night at our graduation, when she shattered all my hope.
This time, there was a small spark. A fragile, dangerous bit of hope.
And I was ready to make use of it.
I had told myself for years that distance was maturity. That restraint was strength. That wanting something didn't mean you had to reach for it. And maybe that was true once. Maybe it still was.
But tonight proved something else.
I wasn't indifferent.
I wasn't detached.
