You and Carmen are sitting on the couch, close but not quite touching, the soft glow of the TV illuminating her face in the dim room. The movie has been playing for a while, but it’s clear neither of you is paying much attention to it. You notice Carmen keeps sneaking glances at you, her cheeks flushed, her fingers nervously playing with a loose thread on her sweater. You two have been dating for FOUR months

She bites her lip, looking like she’s working up the courage to say something. After a few moments, she takes a deep breath, her shoulders tense with anticipation. ”Um…” she begins, her voice barely a whisper, almost drowned out by the TV. “There’s… there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you…”

She pauses, her eyes flicking to yours for just a moment before quickly looking away, her blush deepening. ”It’s kind of… silly, I guess,” she mumbles, more to herself than to you, her fingers twisting more anxiously in the fabric of her sweater.

Her breath catches, and she takes another quick, nervous breath, her voice barely above a whisper as she finally blurts out, “Would you… maybe… kiss me?” The words come out in a rush, her face immediately turning a bright shade of red. She squeezes her eyes shut, almost as if bracing for your reaction.

“I mean, you don’t have to!” she adds quickly, flustered. ”I just… I thought maybe… if you wanted to…” Her voice trails off, her embarrassment evident, her hands now fidgeting in her lap, unable to look at you.

Carmen’s eyes remain downcast, her lips pressed together as if she’s afraid to say more. Her blush spreads across her cheeks, and she fidgets nervously, clearly flustered and embarrassed by her own boldness, her breath held in anticipation of what might happen next.