The second half of the play is a blur. Despite the amazing acting, the brilliant lighting, the great delivery of each line, I am no longer paying attention. Instead, the real act is happening right here on this blanket. The magic unfolding between us.
I press myself to Holden’s side, leaning into him yet still mentally preparing for when he pulls away. Because despite how much I feel it, I still believe a time will come when he doesn’t want me.
Holden keeps his arm curled around my back. My heart is pounding so loud I’m sure he can feel it.
Toward the end of the final act, Holden brushes his lips close to my ear and whispers, “Thanks for coming with me, Kor.”
The words send a shiver down my spine. He’s thanking me? No, no, no. I should be thanking him. This night has been amazing. A literal midsummer night’s dream.
I turn my head, and suddenly we’re close. So close. His lips are right there, inches away. All I have to do is lean in.
My breath catches, and for a moment, I let myself imagine it—his lips against mine, a quiet gasp of surprise that would absolutely come from me.
I want it so much it hurts.
Then fear slams into me, sharp and sudden.
What if I’m wrong?
What if this isn’t real to him, or what if it becomes too much?
Holden has never asked me to change, but what if this—what if dating me means he will?
I turn away before our lips meet.
Holden’s breath ghosts across my cheek—in disappointment maybe? I can’t be sure. I don’t dare look at him as he kisses my cheek again.
Afraid he’s going to leave now, I rest my hand on his thigh. This is okay, right? Safe?
Applause erupts around us as the play ends, and people begin packing away their things, disappearing into the night. Holden and I take our time, folding the blanket together, throwing away trash.
The crowd moves around us, buzzing with excitement and opinions about the show. I know Holden wants to ask me what I thought, or maybe if I had fun. I can see it in the way he keeps glancing at me, like he’s waiting for me to say something.
But my head is too… full. Too light. Too tangled up in everything that just happened. In everything thatalmosthappened. Suddenly, I understand what Holden meant about his brain getting loud, because mine is deafening.
There’s only one thing I hear through all of it. One thing I’m certain of:this wasn’t fake.
Not even a little.
The only question now is, what am I going to do about it?
14
HOLDEN
Korie goes quiet the second we start packing up, and I’m not sure why.
A few minutes ago, everything had felt… easy. Light. Like we’d slipped into something that made sense without either of us trying. But now it’s like I’ve lost the thread, like one wrong move tipped us into something heavier.
I steal glances at them as I carry the basket and blanket back to the car. They’re walking a half step behind me, arms folded loosely, expression soft but unreadable. Not upset exactly. Just… somewhere else.
It shouldn’t make me nervous. I’ve known Korie my whole life. I know their moods, their silences, the difference between when they need space and when they need to be pulled back in.
This doesn’t feel like either of those.
This feels like standing on the edge of something and not knowing if the next step is solid ground or a straight drop.
I pop the trunk to put everything away, then turn back to them, leaning against the car like I’m not suddenly hyper-aware of everything.
