Michelle Lui's POV
By the time Steven's car pulled away, I swear I was floating.
Not walking.
Not stepping.
Just drifting across the pavement like some lovesick Studio Ghibli character being carried by invisible wind sprites.
The air around me felt lighter, warmer, as if the world itself had tilted just a degree toward softness. The sky was streaked with peach and gold, a watercolor sunset melting into the horizon. Even the breeze seemed kinder, nudging at my hair instead of smacking me with stray strands like it usually did.
My cheeks felt warm.
My ears buzzed.
My stomach was doing little cartwheels like a caffeinated hamster.
I pressed my hands to my face.
"Oh my god."
He asked to court me.
He asked to court me.
And I didn't say no.
I didn't say yes either — but I didn't say no.
