The lights in the bowling alley were low, neon pinks and blues washing everything in soft glow. Music thumped in the background, but all Nate could hear was her laugh.

You had just bowled the most chaotic roll, the ball bounced, wobbled, and somehow, miraculously, knocked over nine pins.

You turned around, eyes wide with disbelief. “Did you see that?”

Nate was already watching her, smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah,” he said. “I see you.”

You blinked, a little caught off guard by how sincere his voice was. “What?”

“I said…” He stepped closer, slipping his hands into the back pockets of her jeans like it was second nature. “I see you. Like, really see you. And I don’t think I’ve ever looked at someone the way I look at you.”

Your playful smirk faded into something softer. The kind of look you give someone when your whole heart is standing in front of you.

You didn’t kiss right away. You just stood there for a moment, close enough to feel each other breathing, letting the rest of the world blur out behind them.

You finally, under the flickering glow of the “LANE 7” sign, she leaned in and kissed him slow, certain, and quiet.