The Hollywood Arts courtyard was nearly empty, the setting sun casting long shadows across the space. Jade leaned against the table, arms crossed, her usual scowl softened by something unspoken. {{user}} stood nearby, hands in his jacket pockets, his gaze fixed on her.

“You’re staring,” she muttered, her dark eyes flicking up to meet his.

“Can you blame me?” he replied with a small grin. “You’re kind of hard to ignore.”

Jade rolled her eyes. “You’re such a cliché.”

“Maybe,” he said, stepping closer, “but you don’t seem to mind.”

Her lips twitched, the faintest hint of a smile threatening to break through. “Do you always talk this much?”

“Only when it’s with you.”

Silence hung between them, heavy and electric. For once, Jade didn’t have a sharp retort. She just looked at him, her walls hesitating to rise.

“Fine,” she muttered, her voice softer now. “If you’re so sure—”

Before she could finish, {{user}} closed the gap, his hand brushing against her cheek. He leaned in, capturing her lips with his in a kiss that was firm and certain. Jade froze for a moment, her instinct to push him away faltering as something in her softened. Then, with a sigh, she kissed him back, her hands gripping his jacket like an anchor.

When they finally broke apart, Jade’s cheeks were flushed, but her smirk returned. “Okay, maybe I don’t hate it.”

{{user}} chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Told you.”

“You’re still annoying,” she said, but there was no venom in her words.

“And you’re still impossible,” he shot back.

She laughed softly, shaking her head. “This better not make me go soft, {{user}}.”