The evening had settled softly over campus. Lamp posts glowed warm in the dark, and a breeze carried the scent of late spring—fresh grass, night air, and a hint of flowers.
Michelle and Steve walked side by side down a quiet path near the dorms. His hand brushed hers. She caught it, held on.
Neither of them said much for a while. It was a comfortable kind of silence. The kind that only happens when you're with someone who feels like home.
But then Michelle smiled, that sideways smile he already loved too much.
"So..." she said lightly, "you're not the jealous type?"
Steve glanced at her, smirking. "That's what I said."
"Hmm. Because earlier, it kind of looked like you wanted to throw Ryan out the window."
He laughed. "I thought about it."
She bumped his shoulder with hers. "I liked it."
Steve raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?"
"Yeah," she said, looking ahead. "It was kind of... hot."
He stopped walking. Pulled her gently to a stop too.
"Michelle?"
She turned to face him, the golden light behind him outlining his hair.
"I don't want to be possessive," he said. "But I've never wanted something like this before. Not like this. I guess when I saw him leaning in, I panicked. Like maybe someone else could take you away."
She stepped closer, her voice soft. "Nobody's taking me away, Steve."
His eyes searched hers. "Promise?"
She nodded. "I'm exactly where I want to be."
And then, under the glow of the campus lights, with the quiet of the evening wrapping around them, he leaned in.
This kiss wasn't like the others. It wasn't rushed, or playful, or stolen.
It was slow. Certain. Deep.
Her hands found the back of his neck. His arms wrapped fully around her. And for a long moment, the world was silent except for the rhythm of their hearts.
When they pulled apart, Michelle rested her forehead against his.
"I've never felt like this before," she whispered.
Steve smiled, breathless. "Good. Because I'm not going anywhere."