Chapter 7: Close Enough to Feel
Y/N's POV
After that day, nothing was the same.
Even sitting in class, the air between us felt charged. Every glance, every brush of his sleeve as he passed by, made my stomach twist. I couldn't tell anyone. Not Jay. Not May. Not June.
Because it wasn't just crush-level chaos anymore. It was… real. Dangerous.
I caught him looking at me during lunch. His eyes weren't playful. They weren't teasing. They were… full of something I couldn't name.
And then, he smiled.
A small, quiet smile. One that made my chest hurt.
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Riki's POV
She was avoiding me. I noticed it immediately. Every time I moved closer, she flinched just slightly.
I wanted to reassure her. I wanted to tell her I wouldn't hurt her.
But my usual confidence felt useless around her. Because with her, I wasn't Riki the unstoppable. I was Riki, just… me. Vulnerable. Nervous. Exposed.
And I didn't mind. Not one bit.
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Y/N's POV (Evening, Hallway)
After school, I walked to my locker.
He appeared beside me without a sound.
"Hey," he said softly.
I froze. "Hey."
Silence stretched. Long. Awkward. Intense.
Then he leaned just a little closer, close enough that I could feel the warmth from his hoodie.
"I…" His voice faltered. "I like being around you."
My heart skipped.
"That's… that's nice," I whispered, though my voice trembled.
He smiled, small. Not teasing. Not cocky. Just… sincere.
And I realized I wanted more than just nice. I wanted… this. Him.
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Riki's POV
Her eyes widened when I said it. Not because she didn't know, but because… maybe she hadn't expected me to say anything.
I wanted to take her hand. Hold it. Tell her I liked her more than words could ever capture.
But I didn't.
I stayed close enough to feel her, to let her feel me. That was enough… for now.
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Y/N's POV (Closing)
The moment lasted only a heartbeat.
Then the bell rang.
He stepped back.
But the warmth lingered. The words lingered.
And I realized something terrifying—and wonderful.
I didn't want him to step back ever again.
Not from me. Not from my life. Not from my heart.
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