"Tell me what?" Noa asked, halting his step.
He noticed how conflicted Thalia looked and knew she was about to discuss a serious topic.
So he turned, brows furrowed.
Thalia just stood there, dirt and blood smudged across her soft cheeks. Her lips parted, then closed as she looked up at him, only to look away again.
"What is it?" Noa questioned once more.
Thalia flinched, swallowing hard. "I…" Her voice cracked as she bit her tongue.
The sudden pain made her face shift, giving her an adorable expression Noa couldn't help but smile at. Still, the pain calmed her nerves, allowing her to relax for a bit.
"I know it isn't the right time," she began, her hand pressed against her chest. "It's weird, dangerous, and perhaps stupid, but…"
She sighed again. "But if I don't say it now, I might regret it later. So…" she met his gaze and blushed. "I-I like you. And… and I want to be by your side. Forever."
Her feelings were raw.
