The Almost Kiss

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The library was quiet, the only sound the soft shuffle of papers and the occasional turn of a page. Maya and Eddie had just wrapped up their project, their time together stretching longer than either had expected. It should have been just another study session—just another assignment to get through. But something about tonight felt different. Charged. The space between them, once defined by sharp words and playful taunts, now felt unbearably small.

Maya glanced at Eddie from the corner of her eye. He was closer than usual, his posture relaxed, his fingers brushing over his notes absentmindedly. The nervous, bookish boy she had spent months teasing was gone. In his place was someone quieter, more composed—someone who made her pulse hammer in a way she hadn't prepared for.

She liked playing games with him. She liked being in control. But tonight, it felt like the game was slipping through her fingers.

Maya leaned in slightly, just enough for her knee to graze his. Eddie didn't move away. His breath hitched, but he held her gaze, and suddenly, she was drowning in those stormy, unreadable eyes.

He's looking at me differently.

Her heart pounded. She had spent so long pretending she didn't care, treating Eddie like just another challenge, just another boy to conquer. But now? Now she wasn't so sure.

"You know," she murmured, tilting her head, her voice softer than usual, "you surprise me, Eddie."

His throat bobbed as he swallowed. "Do I?"

She nodded, her fingers drifting idly along the edge of the table. "You're not like the others."

Eddie let out a quiet, shaky breath. "Maya…"

The way he said her name made something twist in her chest. A thrill ran through her, sharp and intoxicating. She wanted more.

Her eyes flickered to his lips, and without thinking, she moved closer. The air between them was thick, heavy with something she couldn't quite name. She could feel his breath on her skin now, could see the way his lips parted slightly, as if he were about to say something—but no words came.

This is it.

Maya closed the distance, her lips barely brushing against his—

Eddie jerked back like he'd been burned.

"Maya," he breathed, his voice tight, pained.

She froze. The warmth of his body was still lingering in the space between them, but the way he looked at her now—it wasn't longing. It wasn't desire. It was something else. Something she didn't want to see.

Confusion and a sharp, stinging rejection hit her all at once.

"What?" she demanded, her voice barely above a whisper. "What's wrong?"

Eddie dragged a hand through his hair, exhaling shakily. He looked away, as if searching for the right words. "It's too soon for this."

Too soon?

Maya's stomach twisted violently, her face burning. He was hesitating. No—he was rejecting her.

Her breath caught in her throat. "Too soon?" she echoed, a hollow laugh slipping past her lips. "What does that even mean?"

Eddie flinched at the sharpness in her voice. "I don't want to kiss you just to kiss you," he admitted, his voice low, uncertain. "I want it to mean something."

Something inside her cracked.

Mean something?

She wanted to scream. Did he really think she was just toying with him? That she wasn't serious?

Her hands clenched into fists. "Oh," she said flatly. "I see."

Eddie's gaze snapped to hers, alarm flashing across his face. "Maya, that's not what I—"

"No, I get it," she cut in, her voice cold now. "You don't think I mean it. You think I'm just playing around."

"That's not—"

"You think I do this with everyone?" she demanded, voice rising. She could feel her heart slamming against her ribs, her pulse roaring in her ears. "Is that what you think?"

Eddie took a step back. "Maya, please—"

She laughed, but it was bitter, sharp. "God, I should've known," she said, shaking her head. "I should've known you'd be like this."

Eddie's eyes darkened. "Like what?"

Maya threw up her hands. "You think I'm shallow, don't you? Just another girl who flirts with every guy she sees? Just another girl who plays games?"

Eddie paled. "That's not—"

"Because that's what you see when you look at me, right?" she snapped, her chest heaving. "A joke. A flirt. Someone who's never serious about anything. Well, guess what, Eddie?" She took a step closer, her voice trembling now. "I'm not a joke. And I know exactly what I want."

Eddie looked stricken, like he was scrambling for the right thing to say. "Maya, stop—"

"No," she shot back. "I won't stop. You think I don't know what I'm doing? That I don't know what I feel?"

He hesitated. Just for a second. But it was enough.

The truth crashed into her like a tidal wave.

He doesn't feel the same way.

Her throat tightened painfully.

Eddie took a careful step toward her. "Maya, listen—"

But she recoiled, stepping back like his touch would burn her. "Don't."

"Maya—"

"Just don't," she whispered, voice hollow now. "I get it."

Silence stretched between them.

Eddie's face was unreadable, but his hesitation said everything.

She had given him a chance. She had let herself be vulnerable, for once, and he had hesitated.

And now? Now she was furious.

Fine.

He didn't want her?

She'd make him.

Maya swallowed the lump in her throat, straightening her shoulders. "You'll regret this, Eddie," she said, her voice quiet but sharp. "One day, you'll wish you had kissed me."

Eddie flinched, guilt flickering across his face. "Maya, I just—"

She turned away before he could finish, before he could say something that would hurt even more.

Her hands trembled as she gathered her things, but she forced herself to smirk, to pretend like none of this mattered. "Your loss," she said lightly, though her voice wavered.

And then she walked away, not looking back, even as her heart ached with something she wasn't ready to name.

She had wanted him. She had put herself out there, let herself feel something real.

And he had hesitated.

Fine.

If Eddie thought she was playing games before, he hadn't seen anything yet.

She would make him want her.

She would make him need her.

And when he finally did?

She'd be the one to walk away.