The school dance wasn't part of the plan.
Amira didn't like crowds. Jayden didn't like glittery events that made people pretend. But something about this one—about now—felt different.
Everyone expected Jayden to show up with someone loud, someone polished, someone else.
He showed up with Amira.
Hair curled softly. A simple sky-blue dress. Eyes shining with nervous stars.
He wore black, with a matching blue tie. Simple, intentional.
They walked in together.
And for the first time, Amira didn't feel like a background extra in someone else's love story.
She felt like his.
---
The music pulsed. Lights danced. But they didn't rush to the floor.
They just stood near the back, fingers intertwined.
"You okay?" he asked.
She nodded, then added, "A little scared."
He brushed a strand of hair from her face. "I'll keep you close."
"You always do," she said, barely above the music.
---
Then the slow song started.
Jayden didn't ask. He just held out his hand, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
She placed hers in his.
Their arms fit easily around each other. Their sway was unsure, but sweet. Amira's head rested lightly against his chest.
"Do you hear that?" she whispered.
He tilted his head. "What?"
"My heart. It's so loud."
Jayden smiled into her hair. "That's funny," he murmured, "because mine's only calm when you're close."
---
People watched.
They let them.
Because it didn't matter anymore who said what. Not after everything they'd written, everything they'd whispered between silence and paper.
Jayden leaned in and kissed her—just enough to make her smile, just enough to quiet every fear she'd ever had.
And when they pulled apart, she whispered,
"This feels like the last page."
He shook his head.
"No," he said, holding her close. "This is just where the real story begins."
---
💌 THE END.