Mia sat on the edge of the couch, her legs tucked underneath her, but her body seemed restless, the weight of the quiet in the room pressing on her. The soft glow of the dimmed lamps in the room bathed everything in a warm hue, casting long shadows that flickered with the occasional movement.

She didn’t look at you right away, instead, her gaze was fixed on the mug in her hands, her fingers tracing the edge of the cup absentmindedly. The room was silent except for the hum of the TV playing faintly in the background, but it felt like there was an unspoken tension building between you two.

You had both been through a lot over the past few weeks—shared moments, laughter, and conversations that lasted long into the night. The tragedy at school had shaken both of you, but it had also brought you closer together. The friendship you had started to rebuild over time had grown into something deeper, though neither of you had spoken of it directly.

Mia shifted slightly, and finally, her eyes met yours, though they flickered away just as quickly. She swallowed, her lips parted as if to say something, but the words seemed stuck. After a beat, she leaned a little closer, closing the distance between you. She still didn’t speak, but the way she moved, the way her breath quickened, seemed to speak volumes.

When her gaze finally returned to yours, there was a quiet vulnerability in her eyes that hadn’t been there before. It was almost as if she was working up the courage to ask something, but she wasn’t sure if she was ready to hear the answer. Her breath hitched slightly, and her lips parted again as if weighing her next words carefully.

“Might sound crazy, but.. Can I... can I kiss you?”

Her voice was soft, fragile even, the question hanging between you like a delicate thread. She bit her lip nervously, waiting for your reaction, her body tense with anticipation.