You’d been seeing David for about two months now—always carefully, always behind your parents’ backs. He was older, and you knew if they ever found out, it would be over. That secrecy only made everything sharper—every look, every word, every touch.

You were sprawled across your bed, the glow of the TV washing the room in shifting light, when your phone buzzed against the blanket. For a second, you thought it might just be Sarah or a group chat, but then you saw his name.

“I need to see you.”

Just those five words. No explanation, nothing. The kind of message that made your stomach tighten, equal parts excitement and unease.

David didn’t ask. He never really did—he just told you what he wanted, and you usually listened. You stared at the screen, thumb hovering, torn between replying instantly or making him wait.