Chapter 6: A Step Too Close
Sunday evening was unusually quiet.
The apartment smelled faintly of coffee and toast from the morning.
I found Alex sitting on the couch, scrolling through his tablet.
I hesitated at the doorway, holding my mug.
"Hey," I said softly.
He looked up, meeting my eyes. For a moment, the silence between us felt heavy, almost tangible.
I walked over and sat down beside him.
Our legs brushed, a tiny spark running through me.
"I… I didn't finish my paper," I admitted, trying to sound casual.
Alex didn't respond immediately. He tilted his head slightly and shifted closer.
So close that I could feel the warmth radiating from his shoulder.
My heart skipped a beat.
I wanted to pull away. I wanted to act normal.
But… I couldn't.
Then, his hand moved—just slightly—toward mine.
Our fingers touched, lingering longer than usual.
I froze.
He froze.
And then… a soft, almost imperceptible squeeze.
Not enough to cross the line. But enough to make my chest tighten painfully.
"I… didn't mean to—" I whispered, my voice barely audible.
He shook his head, a faint, shy smile playing on his lips.
"Don't pull away," he said softly.
My mind raced.
This was dangerous.
This was too close.
But part of me didn't want it to stop.
We stayed like that for a long moment, neither speaking, hearts pounding.
The city outside glowed with streetlights, but inside, time seemed to slow.
Two roommates. Two strangers. Two people stepping into a space neither had dared to cross before.
Finally, I stood up, heart hammering, trying to regain control.
"I… I should finish my paper," I mumbled.
Alex didn't say anything. Just watched me with eyes softer than ever.
And I knew, even as I walked away, that this small touch had changed something between us.
Something that couldn't be ignored.
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