The Walk Back
They didn't leave immediately.
The lake stayed quiet.
So did they.
Andrea sat with her arms wrapped around her knees, staring at the water. Samuel leaned back on his hands, looking up at the darkening sky.
It felt… peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Andrea broke the silence first.
"This is weird."
Samuel didn't move.
"You've said that."
Andrea glanced at him.
"No, I mean it."
Samuel turned his head slightly.
"What part?"
Andrea hesitated.
"Us."
Samuel smirked faintly.
"There is no 'us.'"
Andrea rolled her eyes.
"You know what I mean."
Samuel sat up a little.
"Yeah," he said. "I do."
Andrea looked back at the lake.
"I don't hate you right now."
Samuel let out a quiet laugh.
"Wow. Progress."
Andrea nudged his arm lightly.
"Shut up."
Samuel smirked.
"You're welcome, by the way."
Andrea frowned.
"For what?"
Samuel nodded toward the water.
"You're not crying anymore."
Andrea paused.
She hadn't even noticed.
"…Yeah," she admitted quietly.
Samuel stood up and stretched.
"Let's go."
Andrea looked up.
"Where?"
"Home."
Andrea sighed.
"Right."
She stood up slowly, brushing grass off her jeans.
For a moment, they just stood there.
Facing each other.
The air felt colder now.
But something between them felt warmer.
Andrea broke it quickly.
"Don't get used to this."
Samuel raised an eyebrow.
"To what?"
Andrea gestured between them.
"This."
Samuel smirked.
"Relax. I won't."
But his tone didn't fully match his words.
They walked back toward the city together.
Streetlights flickered on one by one.
Their footsteps were in sync without trying.
Andrea glanced at him once.
Then quickly looked away.
Samuel noticed.
"Say it."
Andrea frowned.
"Say what?"
"You're thinking something."
Andrea scoffed.
"You're not a mind reader."
Samuel smirked.
"I don't have to be."
Andrea shook her head.
"You're so annoying."
Samuel chuckled.
"And you still walked with me."
Andrea didn't answer.
They reached a quieter street.
No cars.
No people.
Just the sound of their steps.
Andrea slowed down slightly.
Samuel stopped walking.
She turned to him.
"What?"
Samuel looked at her.
Not like before.
Not teasing.
Not judging.
Just… looking.
Andrea's heart started racing again.
"Why are you staring?" she asked quietly.
Samuel took a small step closer.
"Because you're not yelling."
Andrea let out a nervous breath.
"Give me a second."
Samuel smiled faintly.
"I might."
Andrea swallowed.
The space between them felt smaller now.
Too small.
She could hear her own heartbeat.
Samuel's eyes flicked down to her lips for a second.
Then back to her eyes.
Andrea noticed.
Of course she did.
Her breath caught slightly.
This is a bad idea.
But she didn't step back.
Samuel hesitated.
Just for a second.
Andrea noticed that too.
And suddenly—
She stepped back.
"No."
Samuel blinked.
"What?"
Andrea shook her head quickly.
"This is a bad idea."
Samuel frowned slightly.
"Why?"
Andrea let out a shaky breath.
"Because everything I do turns into a mess."
Samuel stepped closer again.
"Not everything."
Andrea shook her head again.
"Yes. Everything."
Samuel's voice softened.
"You're overthinking."
Andrea laughed nervously.
"I always do."
The moment stretched.
Then broke.
Andrea took another step back.
"I should go."
Samuel looked at her for a second.
Then nodded.
"Yeah."
Andrea turned around and started walking.
Faster this time.
Before she could change her mind.
Samuel stood there, watching her walk away.
He didn't follow.
Not this time.
Andrea didn't turn around.
But she could feel it.
That something had almost happened.
And somehow—
That felt even more dangerous than if it actually did.
Her heart was still racing when she reached her street.
She stopped for a moment.
Took a deep breath.
Then whispered to herself,
"What are you doing…"
But deep down—
She already knew the answer.
Something had changed.
And there was no going back.