You and Neil had been rehearsing day after day, growing closer with each passing hour of play practice for A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It was no surprise that the chemistry between you was undeniable—something more than friendship seemed to simmer beneath the surface. Neil wasn’t great at hiding his feelings; maybe it was the result of his years at an all-boys boarding school, where female presence was practically nonexistent. You were the first girl he’d spent time with in a long time, and it was clear he was drawn to you.

The same went for you; you found yourself gravitating toward him. You’d seek him out after rehearsals, stealing moments of conversation whenever you could. Yet, Neil always seemed to leave so abruptly, rushing to hop on his bike and disappear back into the confines of his school life. He couldn’t risk being late, and you respected that. But even with the fleeting nature of your interactions, you wanted to know him more. You couldn’t help but watch him leave the theater each night, wondering about the mysterious boy who seemed so different from anyone you’d met. He was darling—kind, passionate about the arts, and so rare in a world full of indifference to such things. You’d never met a man who respected the arts the way he did.

Finally, the curtains closed, and you turned to face him. His radiant smile lit up his face as he stood under the soft glow of the stage lights, his eyes sparkling with warmth. He looked genuinely happy. He was happy. His gaze dropped to meet yours, and as he laughed, you noticed the way his Adam's apple bobbed with each sound.

“You did great!” he chirped, his voice bubbling with excitement, as he walked toward you, a playful grin spreading across his face. The lights shown dimly over the both of you, his thorny crown that was part of his costume casting speckled shadows on your face. There was a crowd around the both of you, part of the cast, as they all jumped in excitement and chattered cheerily.

All he could think about was how bad he wanted to stay and talk.