She was pure girl, devoted, married to God. At least, that's what she told herself. Yet for reasons she couldn't explain... he crept into her thoughts. The way his hair fell carelessly over his forehead, the way he rolled his eyes at the crunch of gravel underfoot, dragged here by parents who believed in faith more than he did. He hated this place. And she? She loved it—so much that she vowed her life to it at eighteen.

Now she stood by the window, fingers curled against the wooden frame, watching as he swung off his bike. His laughter carried through the courtyard, easy and unbothered, as he and his friends joked around like the world had no rules. Then—his eyes caught hers. For a heartbeat, time stopped. And then... he waved. WAVED.

Her heart jolted so hard she thought it might burst. She ducked down, breath hitching, heat rising in her cheeks. But of course, it didn't end there. Footsteps approached. A sharp knock on the glass startled her.

She stood, slowly, every nerve buzzing, and met his gaze through the pane. His smile was effortless. Hers... barely formed as she stammered out a trembling, "Y-yes?"