The whole year I was jealous of Leah.
Of course I was.
She’s always around Elliott. So natural. So easy.
There’s even a painting of hers on his wall. On his wall.
Like she belongs there.
So yeah… I befriended her.
Not for her.
Not really.
I told myself it was just to find out if there was something going on between them. If she liked him. If he liked her.
Because honestly?
Who wouldn’t fall for her?
She’s beautiful, but not in an obvious way. It’s quieter than that. Natural. And she creates. Sculptures, paintings… things that actually mean something.
The kind of person who doesn’t just exist, but leaves something behind.
Unlike me.
I thought I’d just ask a few questions and leave.
But then we started talking.
And I didn’t leave.
We talked about everything. Art, the town, the stupid little things people say, the way the light hits the trees near her cabin in the evening. The way she describes things… it’s like she sees more than everyone else and can work between spaces to create. Or maybe she just feels more.
And when I complimented her work, she didn’t brush it off. She leaned into it.
Smiled. Softer at first, then brighter. Like she’s not used to being seen like that, but she likes it.
And I kept going. I couldn’t stop. Because it was true. She’s incredible!
And somewhere in between all of that… I forgot why I came.
We opened a bottle of wine.
Then another. It got warm. Easy.
Too easy.
At some point, we were sitting closer than before. I don’t even remember when that happened. One moment there was space between us… the next, there wasn’t.
Our shoulders brushed.
Then stayed. And neither of us moved.
Her warmth seeped into me, slow and steady, like it had always been there, just waiting for me to notice. I could feel every small shift of her body, every breath she took — and suddenly I was too aware of everything. She looked at me differently.
Not surprised. Not hesitant. — Focused. Certain. Like she had already crossed that invisible line I was still standing in front of.
And I...I hadn’t.
Or maybe I had… without realizing.
Because something was building.
Low. Quiet.
My chest felt tight. My thoughts slow. Like my body understood before I did. Her hand brushed against mine — barely. But it lingered.
And that was it. That was the moment everything shifted.
When she leaned in, it wasn’t sudden.
It was slow. Intentional.
Giving me time to stop her.
To pull away.
To say something!
I didn’t.
I couldn’t.
And then her lips met mine.
Gently. Carefully. But still demanding as she cupped my face in her hands and held me right there.
It wasn’t fireworks and not chaos. I even had a split second to think about it.
But for this moment I forgot how to breathe. Forgot where I was. Forgot why I had even come here.
And just like that.
We both pulled back.
I think I laughed. Or maybe I didn’t. I don’t even remember. Leah didn’t look shocked. Instead, thoughtful. Like she was watching me try to understand something I didn’t have words for yet.
And I think she noticed. The hesitation. The confusion.
Me.
We didn’t talk about it. We just… parted ways and haven't talked since. And now I don’t know what this was. Or what it means. I only know one thing—
I didn’t come there for her.
But I didn’t leave because of Elliott either.
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