They walked side by side, close enough to share the same path, yet distant enough that it felt like something invisible stood between them.
Their steps didn't match yet hers a fraction slower, his unhurried, deliberate. The space between their arms was small, but Lily felt it like a held breath. Too close to ignore. Too far to touch.
"…Winslow."
His voice reached her first.
It wasn't loud, and it wasn't certain.
Like he was testing whether he was allowed to say her name this way.
"I… have something I want to tell you."
Aiden turned his head slightly, just enough to look at her from the side. The morning light brushed his profile — sharp nose, calm jawline, dark hair falling loosely over his forehead. His gray eyes searched her face quietly.
Lily didn't look back.
Her cheeks were still warm, embarrassment lingering from moments ago like heat trapped beneath her skin. She kept her gaze ahead, Her fingers curled around her bag strap, instinctive, the way they always did when she didn't know where to put herself.
She nodded once.
"Yes," she said softly.
The word barely carried.
Aiden looked forward again, as if relieved she hadn't turned him away.
"Mira told me…"
His voice dropped without effort, as if it had always been meant for her ears alone.
"She said you're really good at drawing people."
Lily's steps faltered for half a second.
She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, heart skipping once before she could stop it.
So he knows, she thought.
He knows more about me than I realized.
Her mind flickered — Mira talking, laughing, mentioning her name to him. The idea made something warm and unfamiliar bloom in her chest.
Aiden continued, eyes on the path ahead.
"Do you remember," he said slowly, "that girl we met on the first day?"
Lily did.
Too clearly.
The memory rose uninvited, the way the girl stood close to him, confident and beautiful, voice bright as she asked for help. The way Lily had stayed quiet, half-hidden, watching from a distance.
"Yes," Lily answered.
"I remember."
She looked at him this time — then immediately lowered her eyes again.
"For that project," Aiden said, "I want you."
The words fell between them, light and still, like leaves after autumn wind.
Still — they stopped her.
Lily froze.
Her feet halted before her thoughts could catch up. The world seemed to pause with her, footsteps passing, distant voices fading into nothing.
She turned fully toward him.
No hiding or secret glances.
Aiden stopped too.
He faced her, tall and steady, hands relaxed at his sides. His expression was calm, but his eyes held something more careful now — something chosen.
"I really want your help," he said.
"I trust Mira's judgment."
Silence slipped in.
"And…" His voice shifted, just slightly. "I want to be friends with you too."
Nothing rushed. Nothing careless.
He meant it.
Lily stared at him, eyes wide, breath caught somewhere between disbelief and joy.
Is this my chance?
To get closer? To sit beside him, paint with him, exist in the same quiet space?
Her heart leapt so hard she almost laughed — almost forgot who she was, forgot how shy she'd been her whole life.
She turned away quickly, overwhelmed.
Her fingers curled into her sleeves.
She took one breath.
Then another.
When she turned back, she tried to speak, lips parting, voice gathering —
I opened my mouth but the words stayed there, caught somewhere behind my ribs.
And of course… he noticed.
He hesitated, then leaned down slightly, lowering himself just enough to meet her height. The movement was gentle, unassuming but it made her pulse spike all the same.
"Can you help me?" he asked quietly.
When he spoke, it was deeper, almost restrained like he was choosing each word before letting it reach me.
It reminded her of music she loved, the kind that didn't demand attention but stayed with you long after it ended.
Lily looked up.
Straight into his eyes.
His gaze felt cool and close at the same time, like standing under a pale winter sky that somehow didn't make you cold.
Panic fluttered in her chest, but she swallowed it down. She couldn't let him see. She reached up, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, buying herself a second.
"I…" she said, voice trembling despite her effort.
"I'll think about it."
She paused, then added quickly and honestly, "Thank you. For… trusting me."
Her voice shook, but he didn't seem to notice.
Aiden straightened again, returning to his usual composed posture. His expression smoothed, calm settling back into place like a mask he wore well.
"Alright," he said.
"Let me know soon, Winslow."
He turned forward, already walking again.
"Let's get to class."
Lily nodded.
She followed a step behind him.
It was quiet careful in the way it didn't dare disturb the air between us.
Like a small puppy trailing someone it had just begun to trust.
Her heart was still racing, thoughts spinning with color and possibility. She watched his back his broad shoulders, relaxed stride, the way he didn't rush but didn't wait either.
And she realized something quietly terrifying.
She wasn't just curious anymore.
She was stepping closer.
And for the first time,
she didn't want to stop.
End of chapter 19