Kara squeezed Willow's hands tighter under the table, words tumbling out in a rush.
Willow stared at her, lips pressed tight, a tear glimmering on her lashes. "You make it sound simple, Kara. But it isn't. I don't know how to carry all this distance. I don't even know if I can trust myself not to break while you're gone."
"Then let me help you carry it," Kara pleaded. Her voice trembled but she forced herself to hold Willow's gaze. "Tell me when it's too heavy, tell me when you're scared. I'll listen. I'll find a way. Please. Just don't walk away."
Willow's throat bobbed, her voice cracking. "I need time, Kara. To understand this… to understand you." She pulled her hands free, wiping at her eyes quickly, like she didn't want Kara to see her breaking.
Silence stretched, thick and unbearable. Then Willow sniffled and forced a smile. "But for tonight… I don't want to cry anymore. Come with me. Let's go to the arcade."
Kara blinked, stunned. "Arcade?"
"Yes." Willow stood, grabbing her bag. "I want to distract my brain before it explodes. And maybe… remind myself why I love being with you."
Something loosened in Kara's chest. She stood too, nodding. "Okay. Let's go."
The arcade buzzed with neon lights and laughter. Willow grabbed Kara's hand and pulled her straight to the basketball game.
"Bet I beat you," Willow teased, coins clinking in her palm.
Kara smirked. "Loser buys the next dessert."
They played hard, laughing when Kara's shots clanged wildly off the rim while Willow hit one after another. Next came the racing games, Kara swerving into every wall while Willow leaned into the turns like she was on a real track.
"Cheater!" Kara shouted, gripping the wheel, her laughter filling the machine's speakers.
"You just suck at driving," Willow shot back, grinning.
By the time they hit the claw machines, both were doubled over in laughter, cheering whenever one of them almost snagged a prize.
Then came the photo booth. Willow dragged Kara inside, coins jingling, the tiny space cramped and warm. The countdown flashed on the screen.
"Smile," Willow said, flashing her sweetest grin.
Kara didn't smile. She wrapped her arms tight around Willow, hugging her so close that Willow squeaked, half laughing, half blushing. The flash popped.
"Hey!" Willow swatted at her shoulder.
"Next one," Kara grinned, leaning in fast to press a kiss against Willow's cheek just as the camera went off. Willow froze, cheeks blooming red, then laughed into Kara's neck.
The last photo they made ridiculous and tongues out, hands framing hearts, eyes squinting with exaggerated silliness.
When the photos printed, Kara tucked one set into Willow's hand and slipped the other into her wallet. "I'm keeping this forever."
Dinner was at their favorite ramen shop, the steam curling around them as they sat side by side at the counter. Willow slurped loudly just to make Kara laugh, and it worked every time.
For a moment, Kara let herself breathe. She wasn't the girl with an acceptance letter burning a hole in her pocket. She was just Kara, sitting with Willow, full of laughter and broth and warmth.
As she walked Willow to her house later, the night was quieter, heavier again. The goodbyes lingered. When they sat in the car outside her gate, Willow reached for the door handle.
But Kara couldn't let her go just yet. She caught Willow's wrist gently, pulling her back.
Willow turned, surprise flashing in her eyes. Kara leaned in, heart pounding, her hand finding Willow's cheek. Their lips met—soft, tentative at first, then deepening as Willow melted into her.
For that moment, there was no Bali, no distance, no fear. Just them, breathing each other in like it was the only thing that could keep them alive.
When they finally broke apart, Willow rested her forehead against Kara's, whispering, "Don't make me regret tonight."
"You won't," Kara whispered back, voice raw. "I promise."