With the regional science competition behind them, the school buzzed about the upcoming autumn dance. Whispers circulated that Mia and Liam would attend together, but neither had officially talked about it.
One afternoon in the hallway, Liam caught Mia between classes. "So… are you going to the dance?" he asked, scratching the back of his neck nervously.
Mia's cheeks flushed. "I was thinking about it. But… I don't know if we should."
"Why not? I mean, we work well together. It could be fun."
Their eyes met, uncertainty mingling with a spark of something new.
Later that evening, Mia sat on her bed, pondering whether the dance could be their first step into something beyond rivalry—and whether she was ready for that.