Morning arrived gently.
Soft sunlight filtered through Amelia's curtains, casting pale golden lines across her bedsheets. She blinked awake slowly, her eyes adjusting, her mind drifting between dreams and reality.
And then it hit her.
Last night.
Dinner with Ethan.
Walking home together.
His hand in hers.
His warmth.
His voice saying he was falling.
Her heart saying it back.
Amelia pressed a hand over her chest, inhaling deeply as a quiet, almost shy smile spread across her lips.
"I really said that…" she whispered into the stillness of her room.
She sat up slowly, brushing her hair behind her ear. Her heart felt light in a way she hadn't known was possible—that soft, fluttering, warm feeling that came when she thought of Ethan's steady gaze or the way his thumb had brushed her cheek.
For a moment, she simply sat there, her legs curled under the blanket, replaying the way he'd promised gently:
"I'll catch you. Every time."
Her throat tightened in the warmest way.
As she got out of bed and padded toward the kitchen, she touched the back of her neck absently as if she could still feel the lingering warmth of Ethan's coat. The apartment was quiet—peacefully so—and the silence didn't feel empty anymore.
It felt… expectant.
She made tea, letting the aroma of mint fill the tiny kitchen. While waiting for the water to boil, she glanced at her phone on the counter.
Nothing from Ethan yet.
Her stomach fluttered.
Would he message?
Would he wait until later?
Should she message first?
The thought alone made her breath hitch.
She reached for her mug too quickly and nearly spilled it.
"Calm down," she whispered to herself.
But the rush of nerves and excitement mingled in her chest like wings fluttering against a window.
She carried her tea to the couch and sat in the quiet morning light, wrapping her hands around the warm cup. Each sip grounded her more, calming her, but her mind still replayed every small moment from last night.
His hand enveloping hers gently at the table.
The warmth of his body when she rested her forehead against him.
The soft way he said her name—like a secret he didn't want to share with the world.
A small smile formed on her lips again.
"I want to see him today…" she whispered.
Saying it out loud made the feeling more real.
She didn't want to rush anything.
But she missed him already—his presence, his steadiness, the safety she felt around him.
She glanced at her phone again.
Still nothing.
She bit her lip lightly, wondering if he was awake yet.
He might be busy.
He might be giving her space.
He might be waiting for her to make the first move.
She set the cup down and took a breath.
"Should I message him?" she whispered.
The thought made her heart squeeze with nerves, but something gentle pushed her forward.
Ethan had shown her so much—warmth, patience, sincerity.
Maybe… maybe she could take a small step this time.
She reached for the phone slowly, her fingers hovering above the screen as if the entire world depended on her next move.
Then, with a breathy exhale of courage, she typed:
Good morning, Ethan.
Thank you for last night… it meant a lot.
She stared at the message for a long moment.
Was it too much?
Too little?
Too vulnerable?
But it felt honest.
It felt right.
She hit send before she could overthink it.
Her heart leapt.
For a moment, she set the phone down face-down on the cushion and pressed her palms to her warm cheeks.
"Oh no," she whispered, flustered.
"I really did it."
A minute passed.
Then another.
She reached for her tea, trying to act like she wasn't waiting anxiously.
And then—
Her phone buzzed.
Amelia froze.
Her heart stopped.
Her breath caught.
She lifted the phone slowly, hands trembling in a mix of nerves and excitement.
The message preview glowed on her screen:
Ethan:
Good morning, Amelia.
Last night meant everything to me too.
Can I see you today?
Amelia's lips parted, her heartbeat rising into a warm, fluttering rush.
He wanted to see her.
Today.
Already.
She pressed the phone to her chest, feeling the warmth bloom all over again.
And whispered softly into the quiet morning:
"Yes…
I want to see you too."