MAY BE THE FINAL GOODBYE

Leo noticed the way Ari was staring at him, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions he couldn’t quite read. He stopped washing the clothes, his hands still dripping with soapy water, and walked over to where she stood. The air between them felt charged, like something inevitable was about to happen.

Without warning, he said, “Kiss me.”

Ari’s eyes widened in shock, and she instinctively took a step back. “W-what?” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Kiss me, Ari,” he repeated, his voice firm yet carrying an edge of vulnerability.

Ari’s heart raced. A part of her longed to close the distance between them, to give in to the emotions she’d been battling for so long. But then, she remembered the promise she’d made to herself. She had vowed not to kiss him until he made their relationship official. That promise held her back, made her hesitate.