Just as my brain finally started functioning again, reality hit me like a truck.
The move!
I shot up from the bed, heart still racing, cheeks still burning from… her. But there was no time to dwell on that. My stuff was still packed up at the old place, and with the looming move-out deadline, I had only a few precious hours left.
"Damn it… the boxes…" I muttered, running a hand through my hair. My keys! My wallet! Where had I left them this time?
I stumbled toward the front door, adrenaline replacing whatever dreamy haze Xier's kiss had left behind. My steps were rushed, almost frantic, as I dug through my jacket pockets. Keys—check. Wallet—check. Phone—dead. Great.
I yanked open the front door, ready to dash to my car when—
Bam!
I nearly collided into her.
Xier stood in the doorway, blocking my path with that same maddeningly calm expression. Her arms were folded loosely, head tilted ever so slightly, eyes gleaming with quiet amusement.
"Going somewhere?" she asked smoothly, one perfectly arched brow lifting.
"I—uh—" I stammered, trying to step around her, but she shifted effortlessly, still blocking my way like an elegant fortress.
"I… I need to grab my stuff… from my old apartment," I managed to say, still breathless. "The move-out deadline's today."
Her eyes sparkled, lips curving into that infuriatingly knowing smile. "Today? And you were just… going to leave without saying anything?"
I felt my face heat up all over again. "I—I didn't think—"
"Clearly." Her voice was laced with playful scolding, her gaze never breaking from mine. She leaned in just slightly, close enough that her scent—warm and intoxicating—wrapped around me again, threatening to snare me in its invisible web.
"Relax," she whispered, voice like velvet. "I'm not mad."
Before I could respond, she reached out with surprising swiftness, plucking my car keys from my hand.
"I'll drive."
.....
The car hummed softly as we cruised down the winding road, surrounded by towering trees whose leaves shimmered under the soft afternoon sun. The windows were slightly rolled down, letting in a fresh breeze that carried the faint scent of wildflowers.
I tried—really tried—to focus on the road ahead, but my eyes kept drifting toward her.
Xier sat in the driver's seat, her long fingers resting gracefully on the steering wheel, effortlessly controlling the car with fluid precision. Her amber eyes were fixed on the road, calm and focused, but there was something hypnotic about the way her lips curled ever so slightly—like she was enjoying some secret thought she wasn't ready to share.
The way the sunlight kissed her skin made her seem almost unreal, like she belonged to some ancient myth or timeless story. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders in soft waves, catching the light with every gentle movement of the breeze.
Stop staring, you idiot!
I quickly turned my gaze back to the road, clearing my throat awkwardly. My heart was pounding, and I hated how aware I was of her—her scent, her presence, her every little movement.
"This… is a nice drive," I muttered, desperate to break the silence.
She smiled, glancing at me briefly with those piercing eyes that seemed to see right through me. "It is," she agreed, her voice smooth and warm. "I like driving… when there's good company."
Good company?
My face heated up instantly, and I turned toward the window, pretending to admire the passing scenery. Trees blurred together, their branches stretching toward the sky like they were reaching for something just out of reach—just like how I felt right now.
I was not falling for her. No. This was just… circumstances. She was helping me move. It was practical. She just… happened to be stunningly beautiful and completely magnetic.
Focus.
I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to look as casual as possible, though I couldn't stop the stupid flutter in my chest every time she spoke.
"You seem… quiet," she noted, her voice teasing.
"I'm just… thinking about the move," I lied, forcing a cough.
Her lips quirked up into a knowing smile. "Mmm… sure you are."
Damn it.
...
The car smoothly rolled down a quiet, tree-lined street as the golden hues of the setting sun bathed the surroundings in warm amber light. The sky was a mesmerizing blend of soft pinks and fiery oranges, stretching endlessly above the distant city skyline. Shadows from the towering trees along the road danced across the pavement, creating shifting patterns with every gentle breeze.
We were getting closer to my old place, and the familiar sights stirred something nostalgic in me—though the thought of returning there one last time felt oddly distant, as though that part of my life was already fading into the past.
The air outside carried the faint scent of freshly cut grass mixed with the earthy aroma of autumn leaves slowly drifting from the trees above. Farther down the street, an old stone fountain glistened faintly in the waning sunlight, its water sparkling like scattered stars.
Just as I was lost in the beauty of the scenery, Xier's soft voice broke through my thoughts.
"So… what was your old place like?" she asked, her tone light and curious, almost… playful.
I glanced over at her, surprised by the sudden shift in her demeanor. She was still focused on the road, but her lips were curved into a faint, expectant smile, and there was a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"It was… okay," I replied hesitantly, rubbing the back of my neck. "Small, kind of old… the plumbing wasn't great, and the landlord was—"
"Mean? Greedy? Scary?" she interjected with exaggerated curiosity, tilting her head adorably as if she were imagining the worst.
I couldn't help but chuckle at her sudden burst of animation. "Yeah… something like that."
She gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her chest as though deeply offended. "How terrible! You must've suffered so much," she exclaimed, her voice dripping with mock sympathy.
I laughed, shaking my head. "It wasn't that bad… but it's definitely nice to be moving on."
Her smile softened, her teasing fading into something more genuine. "I'm glad… You deserve someplace better."
Her words hung in the air, gentle but sincere, and for a brief moment, all the stress of the past few weeks melted away. The car glided through the quiet street, the soft hum of the engine blending with the rustling leaves outside.
I stared out the window again, trying to fight the growing warmth in my chest.
Stop thinking like this… she's just being nice… right?