The cool night air felt refreshing against Mia's flushed skin as she and Aiden walked side by side, their footsteps echoing quietly on the empty streets. The buzz of the party seemed like a distant memory now, replaced by the peaceful stillness of the night. Neither of them had spoken much since they left Kyle's house, and the silence between them felt thick with unspoken words.
Mia kept glancing at Aiden from the corner of her eye, her thoughts racing. Why had he offered to walk her home? Was it just a friendly gesture, or was there something more behind it? She couldn't stop thinking about Lily's words from earlier. Could Aiden really like her too?
The streetlights cast a soft glow on Aiden's face, highlighting the calm but focused expression he always wore. Mia wished she could get a glimpse of what was going on in his mind.
"So… that was a fun party," Mia said, her voice breaking the quiet.
Aiden nodded, his lips curving into a small smile. "Yeah, Kyle sure knows how to throw one."
Mia chuckled softly, her nerves easing slightly. She was about to say something else when Aiden's voice cut through the silence again.
"You handled the truth-or-dare question pretty well back there."
Mia's heart skipped a beat, and she felt the heat rise to her cheeks again. Of course, he was bringing that up. "Yeah, I guess I did. Kyle really put me on the spot."
Aiden's eyes flickered to her, his expression unreadable. "You didn't give a clear answer, though."
Mia bit her lip, feeling the tension between them grow. She wasn't sure if she could handle this conversation right now. But Aiden wasn't looking away. His gaze was steady, almost as if he was waiting for something.
"Do you… have a crush on someone in the room?" Aiden asked quietly, his voice soft but direct.
Mia's breath caught in her throat. There it was—the question she had been avoiding. The moment of truth.
She could feel her pulse quicken as her mind raced. Should she admit it? Should she tell him that she had been thinking about him non-stop lately, that her feelings for him had been growing stronger every day? But what if he didn't feel the same way? What if she misread the whole situation?
Mia took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of courage she had. She knew she couldn't keep running from this. Aiden deserved the truth, even if it terrified her to say it.
"Yeah," Mia finally whispered, her voice barely audible. "I do."
Aiden stopped walking, turning to face her fully. His expression was serious now, his eyes searching hers. "Who is it?"
Mia's heart pounded in her chest as she met his gaze. Her mouth went dry, and for a moment, she couldn't find the words. But as she looked into Aiden's eyes, something inside her shifted. This wasn't just a game anymore. This was real.
"It's you, Aiden," Mia said softly, her voice trembling slightly. "I like you."
For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. Mia's heart raced, and she held her breath, waiting for his reaction. Aiden stared at her, his face unreadable, and the silence stretched between them.
But then, slowly, a smile tugged at the corners of Aiden's lips. It was a small, genuine smile, the kind that made Mia's heart flutter in her chest.
"I thought so," Aiden murmured, his voice quiet but filled with warmth.
Mia blinked in surprise. "You did?"
Aiden nodded, stepping closer to her. "Yeah. I've been trying to figure out how to bring it up for a while now."
Mia's heart soared as she processed his words. "Wait… does that mean you…?"
Aiden let out a soft chuckle, his hand reaching up to gently brush a strand of hair behind Mia's ear. "Yeah, Mia. I like you too."
The confession sent a rush of warmth through Mia's entire body, and she felt a smile spread across her face. She could hardly believe what she was hearing. Aiden—quiet, reserved, and sometimes distant Aiden—actually liked her back.
"I've liked you for a while now," Aiden continued, his voice soft and sincere. "But I wasn't sure if you felt the same way. I didn't want to mess things up between us."
Mia shook her head, still smiling. "You didn't mess anything up. If anything, I was the one who was too afraid to admit it."
Aiden's eyes softened as he looked at her, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away. It was just the two of them, standing under the stars, sharing a moment they had both been avoiding for too long.
"You don't have to be afraid anymore," Aiden said gently, his hand lingering near hers. "I'm here. We'll figure this out together."
Mia felt her heart swell with emotion as she looked up at him, her chest filling with a sense of relief and happiness she hadn't felt in a long time.
Without thinking, Mia took a step forward, closing the distance between them. Aiden's hand found hers, their fingers intertwining as they stood together under the soft glow of the streetlights.
It wasn't a grand, dramatic moment like in the movies. It was quiet, simple, and real. And in that moment, Mia realized that this was exactly what she had been searching for—someone who understood her, who cared for her, and who saw her for who she truly was.
"Thank you," Mia whispered, her voice barely audible.
Aiden tilted his head slightly, his eyes filled with a tenderness that made Mia's heart ache in the best way. "For what?"
"For being honest with me," Mia said, squeezing his hand. "And for… well, for everything."
Aiden smiled, his thumb gently brushing over her knuckles. "I should be the one thanking you. You've helped me more than you know."
They stood there for a few more moments, letting the weight of their confessions settle between them. It was a turning point, Mia realized—a moment that would change everything. And for the first time in a long time, she wasn't afraid of what came next.
As they continued their walk, hand in hand, Mia felt lighter than she had in weeks. The uncertainty and tension that had been building between them had finally lifted, replaced by a sense of clarity and calm.
Whatever the future held, Mia knew that she and Aiden would face it together.
And that was enough.