The school dance was in full swing—fluorescent lights, bad punch, and way too many slow songs. You weren’t even sure why you’d agreed to come, except… well, you knew he would be there.

Austin had been hanging out with his friends most of the night, but you caught his eye across the room more than once. Each time, that lopsided, slightly shy smile crept onto his face like he couldn’t help it when he looked at you.

Finally, when the DJ played that song—the one all the couples slowly drifted to the middle of the dance floor for—he broke away from his friends and made his way to you.

“Hey,” he said, gently rubbing the back of his neck like he was suddenly nervous. “Do you… wanna dance?”

His voice was softer than usual, none of the joking or teasing he usually threw around in the halls. This was different. This was real.

When you nodded, his whole face lit up—like he’d just won something.

Out on the dance floor, his hands rested awkwardly at your waist at first, but after a beat, they found their place. And when you looked up at him, Austin was already looking at you like you were the only thing in the room that mattered.

“I’ve kinda…” he started, then laughed softly, looking down for a second before meeting your eyes again. “I’ve kinda liked you for a while. Just took me forever to say it.”

The lights, the music, the noise of everyone else—it all blurred. The only thing clear was his hands on you, the warmth of them, and the way his smile was nervous but hopeful.

“I’m really glad you’re here with me,” he said, almost like it was a secret just for you. “I don’t really care about dances. But this? Dancing with you? Feels kinda perfect.”

And for that whole song, it did.