Section 1: Before We Knew
Luna's POV
I learned early that loving too much is dangerous.
People say love makes you brave.
I think love makes you careless.
That's why I don't let things get close — not people, not feelings, not promises. I keep my world measured, controlled. I draw what I feel instead of saying it. It's easier that way. Lines don't interrupt you. Colors don't walk away.
Senior high school was loud. Too loud.
Everyone seemed desperate to be remembered — to be loved. I stayed by the window, sketchbook open, pretending I wasn't listening to conversations about crushes, dates, and futures they were too young to understand.
That's when I noticed him.
He didn't belong to the noise.
He always arrived early, sat quietly, and stared outside like the world beyond the classroom mattered more than the one inside. Sometimes he wrote in a small notebook. Sometimes he just watched the plants sway in the wind.
I didn't know his name yet.
But I noticed how careful he was.
People like that don't realize how easily they change things.
Raffy's POV
I noticed Luna the way you notice something you're not supposed to touch.
Slowly. Carefully. From a distance.
She always sat near the window, sketchbook open, completely absorbed in her own world. There was something about the way she drew — like she wasn't trying to make things beautiful, just honest.
I wanted to talk to her.
Every day, I told myself today.
Every day, I failed.
Words have always been difficult for me. They come out wrong, or too late, or not at all. Plants don't rush you. Flowers don't judge silence.
So I did what I knew.
I brought a flower.
Luna's POV
I saw it the moment I sat down.
A single flower. Resting on my desk like it belonged there.
I froze.
My first thought was that someone was playing a joke. My second thought was worse — that someone expected something from me.
I looked around the room.
That's when I saw him looking down at his notebook, shoulders tense, pretending not to notice me noticing the flower.
My chest tightened.
I didn't know why yet.
Raffy's POV
I almost took it back.
My hand hovered over her desk before class started. I thought about how stupid it looked. How weird it must feel to find something like that without explanation.
But I left it.
Because sometimes you don't give things expecting anything back.
Sometimes you just want someone to feel seen.
Luna's POV
I didn't throw it away.
That surprised me the most.
I held it carefully, tracing the petals with my thumb. It smelled faintly sweet — not overpowering, just present.
When class ended, I finally stood up and walked toward him.
My heart was beating faster than it should have.
"Hey," I said.
He looked up like I'd caught him doing something illegal.
I held up the flower.
"This yours?"
He hesitated — then nodded.
No excuses. No defense.
Just honesty.
Something shifted inside me.
Section 2 – Luna & Raffy First Interaction
Raffy's POV
Her eyes… they weren't angry, but they were questioning. Sharp. Curious. The kind that sees right through you and asks too many questions without saying a word.
I swallowed. My throat felt dry. I wanted to say something witty, clever, something that wouldn't make me look like an idiot. But all I managed was:
"I… thought you might like it."
She stared at me, tilting her head slightly. That tiny gesture felt like a verdict.
"You thought, huh?" she said softly. Not teasing, not annoyed — just… observing.
"Yeah. I mean, no pressure," I added, immediately realizing how dumb it sounded. I wanted the floor to swallow me whole.
Instead, she smiled. A small, fleeting smile, like sunlight through a crack in the clouds.
It should have been simple. A smile. But my heart raced.
Luna's POV
He was awkward. Obviously. And I found myself… entertained.
I shouldn't be. I'm not the type to notice boys, especially quiet, weird ones who leave flowers on desks.
Yet here I was, holding his flower, and noticing every nervous twitch, every hesitation in his voice.
"You're… you're a little strange, you know that?" I said, letting the words slip out before I could stop myself.
He nodded quickly, like he'd been expecting that.
"Yeah… I get that a lot," he admitted quietly.
I smirked. The corner of my lips just slightly curved. I didn't know why I was softening.
"Okay," I said finally. "Keep it. For now."
I didn't tell him my hand shook just a little when I placed the flower back on the desk.
Raffy's POV
Keep it? Really?
My brain short-circuited. I nodded, muttering a weak, "Thanks," which probably sounded like a mumble, but she didn't seem to care.
For the first time, I wanted to sit down next to her. Not to say anything clever, just to… exist there.
But I didn't. I stood, back straight, pretending I had somewhere else to be.
Inside, I promised myself: I'm going to give her more flowers. Not to impress her. Not to get her attention. Just… to show her she's not invisible.
Luna's POV
I couldn't stop thinking about the flower all day.
Ridiculous, right? A single flower. No name. No note. Nothing special — and yet, it mattered.
I wondered why he did it. Was it random? A joke? Or something more?
I pushed the thought away. I had no business worrying about boys like him.
Especially boys who left flowers on desks without explanation.
Still, when I closed my sketchbook that afternoon, I caught myself glancing toward the front of the classroom, as if expecting him to appear.
I didn't know it then, but this was the start.
The start of something I couldn't see clearly.
Raffy's POV
That night, I opened my notebook and scribbled:
Day 1: Flower left on Luna's desk. She kept it. That's progress.
I didn't know why I was writing it. Maybe to make sense of my own feelings.
Maybe to convince myself it mattered.
I didn't know then that the smallest gesture — one flower — had already rooted itself into her heart.
Section 3 – The First Conversation
Luna's POV
The next morning, I found another flower on my desk.
Different this time — a small daisy, simple, delicate. Not flashy. Not demanding.
I rolled my eyes but couldn't hide the tiny, guilty smile forming on my lips.
I glanced at him as he entered the classroom, books clutched to his chest, eyes avoiding mine like always.
Why did this tiny gesture matter so much? I didn't want it to.
When class began, I couldn't focus. Every movement, every shuffle of papers, every glance he avoided felt… heavy with meaning I didn't want to admit I noticed.
After a particularly boring lecture on history, I finally leaned toward him, whispering, "Another one?"
He jumped slightly, clearly not expecting me to notice, and his face flushed the faintest shade of red.
"Uh… yes," he admitted, voice barely audible over the murmur of the classroom.
"I thought… it might make your day better."
I raised an eyebrow. "And did it?"
He shrugged, pretending to check his notebook. "I don't know… you didn't smile?"
I smirked, letting a tiny laugh escape. "Maybe. Maybe not."
Inside, my heart betrayed me — racing faster than I wanted to admit.
Raffy's POV
She laughed. Just a little.
I felt like my chest might explode.
She was beautiful — not in a showy way — but quietly, like the kind of art that lingers in your memory.
I wanted to tell her something clever. Something that would make her look at me differently.
But I couldn't. Instead, I nodded, pretending I was just checking notes in my notebook.
My hands itched to move — to write something, to give her another flower, to bridge the distance between us.
But I didn't. I just sat there, stealing glances, hoping she'd notice.
She did.
I could tell.
And that terrified me.
Luna's POV
The next week, small things started happening.
He left a flower on my desk when I was having a bad day.
He passed me a notebook of doodles he'd done in the library.
He didn't force conversation, didn't brag or act funny — he just… showed up.
I hated that I started noticing it. I hated that it made me feel lighter on days when the world felt heavy.
I caught myself waiting for him in the hallways. Waiting for him to appear. And then quickly looking away when he did.
The worst part? I didn't want to stop.
Raffy's POV
I started keeping track of the flowers.
Not because I had to, but because each one marked something.
The daisy — the day she smiled.
The small sunflower — the day she stayed after class, sketching quietly.
The lavender — the day she seemed sad, and I hoped she'd notice I cared.
I wanted her to see, even if only slightly, that someone noticed her — that someone cared without asking for anything in return.
I didn't know if it was enough. I didn't know if it ever would be.
But I had to try.
Luna's POV
It wasn't just the flowers anymore.
It was the way he looked at me when no one was watching.
The awkward way he carried himself, pretending he didn't notice me noticing him.
The little gestures — opening the door, letting me pass first, pretending not to care but secretly paying attention.
It was infuriating.
And slowly, dangerously, it was… endearing.
Raffy's POV
I wanted to make her laugh.
So I started small. Tiny jokes when she least expected them.
A paper airplane thrown during class — she swatted it away, but I caught her eyes and saw her smile.
A note tucked into her sketchbook — "Don't forget to breathe."
I didn't know if she would ever know how much thought went into it.
All I knew was that seeing her smile made the effort worth it.
Section 4 – First Real Connection
Luna's POV
It was during lunch when it happened.
I usually ate alone — headphones in, sketchbook open, pretending I didn't care about the rest of the world.
But that day… he sat across from me.
"Mind if I join?" he asked, his voice quieter than a whisper, almost like he was scared I'd say no.
I looked up, startled. My first instinct was to say, No, I don't share tables.
Instead, I shrugged. "Sure."
He smiled — that awkward, almost embarrassed smile that somehow made me feel like the world had slowed down.
We sat there in silence for a few minutes. The cafeteria was noisy, the chatter around us meaningless. And yet, in that silence, I felt… oddly calm.
Raffy's POV
I wasn't sure I belonged there.
Sitting across from her felt impossible — like I was intruding in her world. But something in me screamed that I had to try.
I opened my lunch quietly, hoping she wouldn't notice how nervous I was.
We didn't talk at first. Just ate. Small glances. Fidgeting. Pretending the other didn't exist, even though both of us knew better.
Then she looked at me — really looked.
"You always bring flowers, huh?" she asked casually, nibbling on her sandwich.
"Sometimes," I said, trying to sound casual, even though my heart was racing. "Depends on the day."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, like she was suspicious. "Hmm… so, you're keeping track?"
I almost choked. "I… maybe."
She snorted — a small, breathy laugh. It wasn't loud, but it made me grin like an idiot.
Luna's POV
That laugh. That stupid little thing.
It hit me in a way I wasn't ready for.
I didn't want to feel warmth toward him. I told myself over and over — he's just a boy who brings flowers.
But in that moment, I realized… it wasn't just the flowers.
It was him.
The way he tried to act casual. The way he didn't push, didn't overwhelm. The way he looked at me like I was important… like I actually mattered.
And I hated myself for letting my heart notice.
Raffy's POV
She laughed again.
I was doomed. Absolutely, completely doomed.
We started talking about small things. School assignments. Favorite books. Art. Plants.
Each topic was a tiny bridge across the gap between us.
She teased me gently — calling me a "plant nerd" and laughing at my awkward jokes. I caught myself hoping these moments would never end.
Luna's POV
She was in danger of noticing.
Of noticing that I was slowly letting him in.
That afternoon, he made a silly comment about a history lecture, and I laughed. For real. No walls. No pretending.
And I felt guilty.
Because this was supposed to be impossible.
Because I wasn't supposed to like him.
Because… maybe, just maybe, I already did.
Raffy's POV
I noticed it — the small smiles. The little soft looks she gave me when she thought I wasn't watching.
I noticed the way she tucked her hair behind her ear when she was nervous.
I noticed the way she lingered over our conversations, asking questions, wanting to know more.
Every small thing told me she was paying attention. And every small thing made my chest ache with anticipation.
Luna's POV
I realized something dangerous that day:
I was looking forward to seeing him.
I was waiting for him to be there.
I was… falling.
And I couldn't stop.
Raffy's POV
I knew something that terrified me more than anything.
I was falling too.
Falling for someone who didn't know she was already inside my heart.
Falling for someone I didn't know if I deserved.
Falling for someone who probably wouldn't stay.
And yet… I couldn't stop.
Section 5 – Shared Secrets and Small Adventures
Luna's POV
It was during one of those rare free periods — the kind where the classroom was half-empty and the afternoon sun spilled lazily through the windows — that he leaned over my desk and whispered, "I saw your sketch from last night. The one by the window."
I froze.
"Uh… I didn't mean anyone to see it," I said, cheeks burning.
He shrugged casually, but his eyes were soft, careful. "I didn't tell anyone."
I felt a small, dangerous flicker of trust.
For a moment, I considered letting him in. Not fully, not yet, but just enough that I wasn't alone with my thoughts.
"Why do you care?" I asked softly, barely above a whisper.
He smiled faintly, as if the answer was obvious. "Because you notice things. And I notice you noticing."
I didn't respond. I didn't need to. The words lingered between us, heavier than any I could say.
Raffy's POV
She didn't speak. But the way she looked at me — caught between irritation and curiosity — told me more than any conversation could.
I wanted to say something clever. Something that wouldn't make me sound like a fool.
Instead, I offered her the small, yellow flower I'd been keeping in my notebook. Not grand, not dramatic — just a tiny token.
Her eyes widened slightly, then narrowed playfully.
"You're relentless," she said, smirking.
I grinned. "I prefer 'persistent.'"
Luna's POV
Persistent.
Ridiculous.
And yet… endearing.
I rolled my eyes, but my lips twitched upward despite myself.
Later, during lunch, we ended up sharing a table in the empty corner of the cafeteria.
We talked about books we loved, movies that made us cry, songs that we secretly listened to on repeat.
I realized that he was more than just the quiet boy who left flowers. He was curious, observant, careful. And somehow, he made me laugh — small, genuine laughs I hadn't let anyone hear in months.
Raffy's POV
I couldn't believe she was actually talking to me. Sitting here. Laughing at my jokes. Sharing little secrets.
I felt like I'd stepped into a dream I wasn't allowed to have.
We traded stories about silly childhood memories. I told her about the time I tried to grow sunflowers in the wrong season, and she laughed so hard I thought she'd fall off her chair.
For the first time, I felt like I could breathe — like she made everything else fade.
Luna's POV
She was dangerous.
The way he made me laugh. The way he noticed things I didn't realize I exposed. The way he didn't push but stayed anyway.
I hated that I wanted to be near him. I hated that I was already thinking about him when I wasn't with him.
And yet… I couldn't stop.
Raffy's POV
I noticed every little detail about her.
The curve of her smile when she was amused.
The way her fingers lingered on her sketchbook.
The quiet hum she made when she was lost in thought.
Every second with her was a gift I didn't deserve.
I knew I was falling. Slowly. Carefully. Afraid of breaking.
But I couldn't stop.
Luna's POV
After school, he walked me halfway home.
We didn't speak much. The silence wasn't awkward. It was comfortable.
At one point, I tripped slightly on the sidewalk. He caught my hand before I fell.
"Careful," he said, a small grin tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Thanks," I murmured, heart thumping louder than it should have.
That night, I caught myself tracing the flower he had left on my desk earlier.
I hated that it mattered. I hated that I cared.
But deep down, I knew it did.
Raffy's POV
When I walked home, I kept thinking about her.
About the way she laughed. The way her eyes softened when she caught me noticing her.
I wrote in my notebook:
Day 7: Shared secrets. Laughter. Hand caught. Heart racing. Do not screw this up.
I didn't know then that these tiny moments — the flowers, the shared stories, the short walks — were building something neither of us could ignore.
Something dangerous. Something beautiful.
Section 6 – Flirtation and Awkward Humor
Luna's POV
It was one of those days when the teacher left the classroom for a few minutes, leaving the students to their own devices. I was sketching absentmindedly, headphones in, trying to ignore the chatter around me.
Then I felt it — a paper airplane hitting my shoulder softly. I looked up.
Raffy.
He gave me a sheepish grin from across the room.
I raised an eyebrow. "Really? In class?"
He shrugged, pretending it was nothing, though his eyes betrayed him. "You looked bored."
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't hide the small smile tugging at my lips.
"You're ridiculous," I muttered.
"Better ridiculous than boring," he replied, with a faint smirk.
I caught myself laughing quietly. And in that laugh, I realized — I liked this ridiculousness.
Raffy's POV
She laughed. That little sound was enough to make all the awkwardness vanish.
I wanted to throw a dozen more paper airplanes. Not to annoy her — to make her laugh again. To see that spark in her eyes.
"You're enjoying this," she said, trying to sound annoyed but failing miserably.
"I might be," I admitted, shrugging. "But only a little. Don't tell anyone."
She shook her head, pretending to be stern, but her grin betrayed her.
Luna's POV
We spent the next ten minutes in quiet rebellion, passing notes and tossing small paper airplanes, careful not to get caught.
It felt… childish. Silly. And yet, it was freeing.
For the first time in weeks, I didn't think about deadlines, lectures, or responsibilities. I thought only about him — the quiet boy who left flowers, who noticed small details, who could make me laugh without trying.
And for the first time, I realized that maybe I didn't want to be careful anymore.
Raffy's POV
She was… fascinating.
Every little reaction — the way she furrowed her brows when annoyed, the tiny laugh she tried to hide, the way she studied every small movement I made — made me more aware of her.
I wanted to memorize these moments. Every detail. Every laugh. Every sigh.
I knew I was falling. Slowly. Carefully. Afraid of what would happen if she slipped away.
Luna's POV
Later that day, we walked to the library together.
Neither of us said much. The silence was comfortable — not heavy, not awkward. Just… shared.
At one point, he pointed out a sketch I'd left on my desk from the day before.
"You drew this?" he asked quietly, eyes scanning the lines.
I nodded, a little self-conscious. "Yeah. Does it look bad?"
"No," he said immediately. "It's… real. I like that."
The compliment hit me in a way I didn't expect. Not the words, but the honesty behind them.
I wanted to argue, to dismiss it. But I didn't.
Raffy's POV
I noticed her hesitation — the way she flinched slightly when I praised her art.
I wanted her to know that it was genuine. That I didn't say it lightly. That I really meant it.
But I didn't press further. Not yet.
Instead, I walked beside her, letting her space breathe, letting her feel safe.
And maybe, just maybe, letting myself fall a little further.
Luna's POV
That night, I caught myself tracing the petals of the daisy he'd left earlier.
I hated that it mattered. I hated that I cared.
But deep down… I knew I did.
It was the start of something I couldn't stop. Something dangerous. Something beautiful.
Raffy's POV
I counted the days in my notebook again.
Day 10: Shared laughter. Library walk. Her smile lingers. Heart racing.
Each moment with her felt monumental.
Each small interaction was a thread weaving us closer together.
And yet, I was terrified. Terrified that one misstep, one wrong word, could undo it all.
Section 7 – First Small Conflict
Luna's POV
It started with a joke — or at least, I thought it was a joke.
We were in art class, and he leaned over my shoulder, whispering about a mistake I'd made in shading.
"You call that a shadow?" he said, smirking. "Looks like a smudge."
I looked at him, incredulous. "Excuse me?"
He laughed nervously. "I'm kidding! I'm kidding!"
But the sting of his words lingered. Maybe I was too sensitive. Maybe he didn't mean it.
Still, I felt it — a flicker of annoyance, of hurt.
I packed up my things a little faster than usual, determined not to show that he had gotten to me.
Raffy's POV
She froze.
I knew immediately I'd gone too far.
I hadn't meant it to sting — it was supposed to be playful. Funny. Light.
But the look on her face… a mixture of shock and something else — hurt, maybe — made my stomach twist.
I wanted to apologize. To explain. But my voice failed me
.
Instead, I just watched her leave, regretting every word.
Luna's POV
Later, at lunch, he tried to sit with me as usual.
I pretended not to notice. Pretended I didn't care.
"You're… quiet today," he said softly, sliding into the bench across from me.
I shrugged. "Just thinking."
"About me?" he teased.
I narrowed my eyes. "Maybe. Or maybe not."
The conversation felt awkward. Forced. I wanted to laugh. I wanted to yell. I wanted to push him away and pull him close at the same time.
Raffy's POV
I wanted to fix it. To make her laugh. To make the tension disappear.
I tried talking about small things — classes, homework, art projects — anything to distract from the air between us.
She smiled sometimes. Not like before. Not fully.
And I realized then — she noticed. Everything. Every little thing I did wrong, every awkward word, every pause.
And I loved her even more for it.
Luna's POV
By the end of lunch, I wasn't sure if I was angry or flustered or… something else.
He was impossible. Infuriating. Annoying. Endearing.
I hated that he mattered. Hated that my chest hurt when he looked at me like nothing had happened.
Raffy's POV
I hated that I'd hurt her.
I hated that I didn't know how to fix it.
And yet, I couldn't stay away.
Even when she turned her back to me, I stayed. Watching. Waiting. Hoping she would forgive me, even without words.
Luna's POV
That night, I stared at the flower he had left on my desk earlier.
It was a daisy. Simple. Innocent. Silent.
I hated that it mattered to me. I hated that I cared.
But… deep down, I knew it did.
It was my heart's reminder: he was already inside it, whether I wanted him there or not.
Raffy's POV
I wrote in my notebook again:
Day 15: Mistake. She's upset. I hate myself for it. I can't stop thinking about her.
I didn't know then that tension and mistakes were part of love too.
That sometimes, falling wasn't just about laughter and smiles.
It was about surviving the silences, the misunderstandings, and still choosing to stay.
Section 8 – Reconciliation and Tenderness
Raffy's POV
I stayed after class that day.
She had left her sketchbook on the table, and I couldn't resist opening it. Her drawings were… alive. Every stroke, every shade — it was her soul captured on paper.
I wanted to apologize properly. Not just a quick "I'm sorry" — I wanted her to know I truly meant it.
So I wrote on a scrap of paper, careful, deliberate:
I messed up today. I didn't mean to hurt you. Please forgive me. — R.
I folded it neatly and placed it inside her sketchbook before leaving.
I didn't know if she would see it. I didn't know if she would care.
But I hoped.
Luna's POV
I found the note the next morning.
At first, I didn't want to read it. Part of me wanted to be stubborn.
Part of me wanted to stay annoyed.
But curiosity won.
I unfolded it and read his words.
I messed up today. I didn't mean to hurt you. Please forgive me. — R.
My chest softened. The tension I had carried for a day evaporated like mist.
I stared at the handwriting, simple, careful, sincere.
I realized then… he noticed. He cared. And maybe, just maybe, he was worth forgiving.
Raffy's POV
Later, I saw her in the courtyard, sketchbook in hand, sunlight catching the strands of her hair.
I wanted to say something, but I didn't know if it would scare her or make it worse.
Then she looked up.
Our eyes met.
She smiled — small, hesitant, but it was there.
And my heart leapt.
Luna's POV
I walked toward him slowly, sketchbook clutched to my chest.
"Hey," I said quietly.
"Hey," he replied, eyes bright, hopeful.
We didn't need to say much. The air between us softened, the hurt replaced by something warmer, something fragile and new.
I couldn't stop the small smile forming on my lips.
"You… still think I'm ridiculous?" I asked, teasing, though my voice betrayed warmth.
"Absolutely," he said, grinning. "But I like it."
I laughed, a full, real laugh this time.
Raffy's POV
She laughed.
The sound rang in my ears like music.
I wanted to tell her everything. That I noticed every little thing about her. That I cared more than I could put into words. That the flowers, the notes, the awkward glances — they all meant I was falling.
I didn't say it. Not yet.
Instead, I reached out subtly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. She didn't pull back.
And that small, silent moment was enough.
Luna's POV
Her hand brushed mine by accident when I turned a page in my sketchbook.
I froze.
He didn't.
He just smiled faintly, as if the contact was natural.
I felt heat rise to my cheeks, a strange, fluttering feeling deep in my chest.
It scared me. It thrilled me. And I hated that I couldn't stop it.
Raffy's POV
I wanted to hold her hand. I wanted to tell her she was already inside my heart.
But I waited. Let her decide. Let her choose.
Sometimes, love isn't about rushing. It's about staying. Waiting. Letting someone in, slowly, carefully.
I smiled to myself, knowing this was only the beginning.
Luna's POV
That afternoon, as I sketched by the window, I realized something terrifying.
I was falling.
Not carefully. Not in steps. Not gradually.
I was falling — heart first, completely, and there was no stopping it.
And for the first time in a long time, I didn't want to.
Section 9 – First Outing
Luna's POV
It started with a text.
"Library after school? I found a book I think you'll like. — R"
I stared at my phone, debating whether to say yes.
Library? Alone with him? Dangerous. Terrifying.
And yet… I typed back: "Okay. See you there."
The library smelled like old pages and sunlight. Dust motes floated in the air like tiny fairies.
He was already there, sitting at a small table with a stack of books. He looked up when I arrived.
"Hey," he said, voice quiet but warm.
"Hey," I replied, my stomach fluttering unexpectedly.
He gestured to the chair across from him. "Sit. I found this book on art techniques. Thought you might like it."
I hesitated, then sat. He pushed the book toward me gently.
"I like that you notice details," he said quietly. "Even the small ones most people overlook."
I felt a heat rise to my cheeks. Small compliments from him felt bigger than any words I'd heard before.
Raffy's POV
She sat across from me, flipping through the pages carefully, taking it all in.
Every glance she gave me felt loaded — curiosity, amusement, something I couldn't quite name.
I wanted to say something clever. Something that would make her laugh.
Instead, I said softly, "You know, I think people are afraid of noticing things. Afraid it means they care too much."
She looked up, surprised. "Do you mean… me?"
I nodded slightly. "Yeah. You."
Her lips parted slightly. I didn't say anything else. Silence held us, gentle and deliberate.
Luna's POV
We spent the next hour reading quietly, occasionally exchanging comments about illustrations, techniques, or artists we liked.
Then, unexpectedly, he leaned back and said, "You know, I've never met anyone who notices this much. You… pay attention. Really pay attention."
I shrugged, pretending it wasn't significant. "I notice what matters."
He raised an eyebrow. "And what matters?"
I paused, unsure whether to say it. Unsure whether I could even admit it to myself.
"You do," I whispered, almost too softly to hear.
His eyes widened slightly. Then, he smiled — that small, careful smile that made my chest tighten.
Raffy's POV
She said it. She admitted it.
"You do."
The words wrapped around me like sunlight. I wanted to reach across the table and hold her hand, to tell her I felt the same, but I didn't.
I let her sit there, letting the moment linger. Let her see that I noticed. Let her see that I cared.
It was enough. For now.
Luna's POV
After the library, we walked to a nearby park. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows, golden and forgiving.
He brought a small notebook, scribbling little sketches of the trees, the benches, even me as I wandered ahead.
I noticed him noticing me, and I hated it and loved it at the same time.
We stopped by a fountain. The water danced lightly, catching the sunlight.
"You know," he said softly, "I'm glad you came today."
I shrugged, smiling faintly. "Me too."
But inside, my heart felt like it was on the edge of something new. Something terrifying. Something beautiful.
Raffy's POV
I watched her laugh at something small — the way a leaf fell into the fountain, or the way a child tripped over their shoelaces nearby.
I wanted to freeze the moment. Wanting it to last forever.
I wanted to tell her, again, how much she mattered, but I didn't. Not yet.
Instead, I offered her the small daisy I'd been keeping in my pocket.
"For you," I said simply.
She took it, holding it delicately. Our fingers brushed. Just a fraction of a second.
And my chest went wild.
Luna's POV
Her hand brushed mine.
Again. And I didn't pull away.
The daisy felt small in my palm, but the meaning — his intention — was enormous.
I realized then that I was letting him in. Not fully, not yet, but a little.
And I hated that it felt so easy.
Section 10 – Quiet Confessions and Emotional Closure
Luna's POV
The sun was dipping low behind the trees, casting golden-orange streaks across the park. The daisy he gave me rested in my sketchbook, delicate and quiet, yet somehow louder than any words.
We sat on the edge of the fountain, our legs dangling over the side. Neither of us spoke at first. The silence was comfortable, not heavy — the kind of silence that settles between two people who are slowly learning each other.
Finally, I whispered, almost to myself, "I don't usually… let people in."
He glanced at me, gentle and attentive. "I know."
I felt a jolt. How could he know?
"I… don't know why I'm letting you," I admitted. My voice barely carried over the sound of the fountain.
"Maybe because you want to," he said softly.
I froze, heart hammering. That simple sentence made me want to run and stay at the same time.
Raffy's POV
She was quiet, delicate in the fading sunlight. Her words were hesitant, uncertain — like she was afraid to fall, afraid to trust, afraid to care.
And yet, she was sitting here with me.
Her confession was small, but monumental.
I reached out slowly, my hand hovering near hers. "You don't have to decide now," I whispered. "Just… let it be. Let me be here."
Her fingers brushed mine. Just barely. But it was enough to make my chest feel like it could burst.
Her eyes met mine, wide and searching, like she was asking permission without speaking it aloud.
I smiled softly. "I'm not going anywhere."
Luna's POV
Her words, his words — they wrapped around me like warmth.
I wanted to pull back. To tell him I didn't feel this way. That I wasn't ready.
But I couldn't.
I wanted him here. I wanted to stay.
And for the first time in a long time, I felt safe letting someone see me.
Just a little.
Raffy's POV
Her hand lingered near mine. Her fingers twitched slightly, brushing against me as if testing whether this closeness was allowed.
I didn't move away. Didn't speak.
Sometimes, love doesn't need words. Sometimes, it's a hand resting next to another. Sometimes, it's a silence shared in golden sunlight.
I watched her breathe, felt her presence, and knew — whatever came next, this was the beginning of something important. Something real.
Luna's POV
I smiled faintly. Just a small smile, but it carried more than any words could.
"I… think I like this," I admitted quietly, almost to myself.
He looked at me, hope and warmth shining in his eyes.
"Me too," he whispered.
It wasn't a confession in the dramatic sense. It wasn't a declaration.
It was a start.
A delicate, careful, slow start.
And somehow, it felt perfect.
Raffy's POV
I felt it too.
The spark. The weight of trust. The thrill of first steps into something unknown.
I didn't need to say more. I didn't need to rush it.
Because this — this quiet moment, this subtle connection, this careful trust — was enough.
For now.
End of Chapter 1
💌 Chapter 1 Summary:
Luna & Raffy meet, first flower gestures.
Small conversations, slow flirtation, teasing, shared laughter.
First conflict and misunderstanding, followed by reconciliation.
First subtle, emotional connection outside school.
Chapter closes on a tender, intimate moment — hand brushing, unspoken trust, slow-burn love beginning.