Jake was half-asleep when his phone buzzed on his nightstand. He groaned, squinting at the screen through the darkness.

Ava: Sneak out. Meet me at the park. 3 AM. Just us.

He stared at the message, blinking. His girlfriend Ava was known for late-night ideas like this—spontaneous, wild, always chasing some kind of romantic moment. She had that restless energy, like the stars themselves kept her up at night.

Jake: Are you serious? It’s literally freezing outside.

Ava: Don’t be soft. I have a blanket. Come on, sleepyhead.

Jake sighed, threw on a hoodie and sneakers, and quietly opened his bedroom window. The air was cold and still, and the world felt like it was paused. He jogged down the sidewalk, heart racing—not because he was scared, but because sneaking out to meet Ava always felt like something out of a movie.

When he got to the park, Ava was already there, sitting on the swings with a cozy blanket wrapped around her, hood up, hair peeking out.

“You actually came,” she grinned, eyes lighting up when she saw him.

“I must be insane,” Jake said, laughing as he sat beside her. “Do you know how illegal this probably is?”

“I won’t tell if you don’t,” she smirked, nudging him with her knee.

They sat in silence for a moment, listening to the wind in the trees and the distant hum of the highway. Everything was quiet. Peaceful.

Ava leaned her head on Jake’s shoulder. “I don’t know… I just didn’t wanna be alone tonight. And I wanted to be with you. Just us. No phones. No drama. Just this.”