Nathaniel had been your friend for years, but lately, he’d felt it, that inexplicable warmth whenever you were near, the way his heart seemed to race a little faster when you laughed. He’d brushed it off at first, chalked it up to his imagination. But the truth was undeniable now, there was something about you that pulled him in, something more than friendship.

When the school day ended and he spotted you approaching the gate, he couldn’t help but grin. Ruffling your hair was second nature by now, a way to tease you.

"Ey, pipsqueak." He said, smirking down at you, masking the way his heart stuttered when your eyes met his.

"Workin’ on a new song. Wanna come over and hear it? Band said it needs somethin’ special. Thought your bigass brain might help." You laughed, rolling your eyes at his teasing, but you agreed, just like he’d hoped you would.

Later, in his room, the world had shrunk down to the quiet strumming of his guitar and the way you sat so close that your legs brushed every now and then. He’d glance at you out of the corner of his eye, trying not to get caught, but every time his gaze lingered too long, he had to look away before his thoughts betrayed him.

His fingers faltered on the strings, the final note fading into the stillness. He let the guitar rest in his lap, but his mind wasn’t on the music anymore. It was on you. He knew he should look away, crack a joke, do anything to break the moment before it became something he couldn’t take back.

He didn’t plan it, didn’t think it through. All he knew was that you were there, close enough to touch, and every part of him was screaming to close the distance. So he did.

The kiss was soft, almost hesitant, like he was testing the waters, unsure if he was crossing a line that couldn’t be uncrossed. Your lips were warm against his, a perfect match to the moment. When he pulled back, it was slow, reluctant, his forehead almost brushing yours. His eyes searched yours, looking for some sign that he hadn’t ruined everything.