A Secret Beginning
Emma had always admired Claire from a distance. They met in university, both studying literature, and often found themselves in the same classes. Claire, with her free spirit and infectious laugh, always seemed surrounded by friends, while Emma was quieter, preferring to get lost in her books and daydreams.
One autumn afternoon, after a long day of lectures, Emma found herself in the campus park, sitting on a bench with her notebook open but empty, the words not coming to her. It was then that Claire appeared, walking her usual brisk pace, hair windblown and eyes sparkling.
“Writer’s block?” Claire asked, plopping down beside her without hesitation.
Emma chuckled nervously. “Yeah, something like that.”
Without missing a beat, Claire nudged her with her shoulder. “Sometimes, it’s not about writing the perfect thing. It’s about writing what feels right.”
Emma looked at her, surprised by the softness in Claire’s voice. It wasn’t the first time Claire had spoken to her like this, but it was the first time Emma truly noticed how close they were, how easy it felt to talk to her.
They spent hours talking—about their favorite books, their hopes, their fears—until the sun began to set. As the golden light faded, Claire gently took Emma’s hand, her fingers intertwining with hers.
“I’ve always wanted to say this,” Claire confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “I think I’ve been falling for you for a while.”
Emma’s heart skipped a beat. She had always suspected, but hearing it aloud made everything real. “I think I’ve been falling for you too,” she admitted, her voice trembling with excitement.
From that moment, they shared a secret love—quiet and soft, like the rustling of autumn leaves. And though the world around them stayed the same, everything felt different, brighter, with each passing day.