5 — Facade

Sera finished a volume of one of her favorite manga, laying back into her bed with a deep sigh. She glanced out the window, watching the rain softly patter against the glass. The steady rhythm was calming. Stretching languidly like a cat, she shifted out of her bed covers before finally swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. Running a hand through her blonde hair, she sat there for a moment, her white shirt—emblazoned with the logo of one of her favorite bands—clinging loosely to her. Her dolphin shorts shifted slightly as she adjusted herself, kicking her feet a bit.

Sera grabbed her phone from the nightstand, still feeling the calming rhythm of the rain outside. She leaned back against her pillows, typing a message to June:

Hey! How did the rest of your day go?

A soft ping came almost immediately as June responded.

Pretty chill! I hung out with Luca and Hana for a bit after class. We grabbed some coffee and went shopping again. Luca almost got us lost in the city, but Hana saved the day, haha.

Sera smiled, easily picturing the scene in her head. It warmed her heart to think of her friends having fun. Seems it wasn’t just her that had a good day.

Aww, that sounds fun! I'll see you soon, promise!  she typed back.

After hitting send, she placed her phone back on the nightstand, still smiling as she relaxed into her bed looking up almost aimlessly at the ceiling.

Sera lay in bed, her thoughts drifting back to the time she spent with Ame earlier—the tutoring, their conversations, and the quiet walk in the rain. Everything had gone so perfectly.

Her mind kept circling back to the moment when Ame handed her the jacket, and how she’d subtly suggested Sera hold the umbrella too, pulling them even closer under its shelter.

A warm flutter filled her chest, and before she realized it, she’d flipped onto her stomach, burying her face in the pillow. A soft, adorable, muffled squeal escaped her lips as she kicked her feet playfully in the air, her heart soaring at the memory.

She’s so perfect. Sera thought, her heart skipping a beat as she lay back on her bed, staring at the ceiling. After a moment, she flipped over again and grabbed her phone, her mind wandering to dinner.

Lately, they had fallen into a routine of eating separately. Even when they happened to eat at the same time, Ame often retreated to her office space, probably buried in work.

Sera wondered whether she should surprise Ame with dinner or let her know ahead of time. She frowned, arms crossed, contemplating. Surprise or not?

After a few minutes of indecision, she smiled to herself, settling on a surprise. She picked Chinese noodles—from the store she’d noticed Ame liked, thanks to a bit of sneaky observation during one of their lunch breaks.

Sera sat cross-legged on the living room floor, her phone resting beside her as she absentmindedly scrolled through social media. She had already finished her latest manga volume and was looking for something else to pass the time. With a soft sigh, she shifted her attention to the television, contemplating if she should watch something. But, as she scrolled through channels, the doorbell chimed, breaking her train of thought.

Excitement surged through her as she jumped up and hurried to the door. She swung it open to find the delivery person holding a warm bag of Chinese food. Sera’s face lit up as she took the bag, thanking the delivery person before closing the door behind her. She placed the food on the kitchen counter, the delicious aroma wafting through the air.

Feeling giddy, Sera decided to make herself comfortable. She flopped onto the couch, laying upside down with her legs dangling off the side, the fabric of her shorts brushing against the cool upholstery. She giggled at the funny position, her hair spilling over her face. After a few minutes, however, the novelty wore off, and she shifted to a more comfortable position, curling up on the couch.

The soothing quiet of the apartment lulled her to sleep, her eyes fluttering shut as she awaited Ame’s return.

A few hours later, around 8 or 9 PM, the front door creaked open quietly. Ame stepped inside, her shoulders sagging with the weight of a long day at work.

She let out a weary sigh, pausing for a moment to gather herself. Then, her gaze fell on the kitchen counter, where the takeout boxes sat. A smile broke across her face as she approached the counter, pleasantly surprised.

“How did she even know?” Ame murmured, shaking her head in disbelief.

As she turned her attention back to the living room, her heart warmed at the sight of Sera, fast asleep on the couch. The girl looked so peaceful, a small smile lingering on her lips. Ame’s fatigue faded away, replaced by warmth and affection.

She walked over, carefully sitting on the edge of the couch to avoid waking Sera, and watched her for a moment longer, feeling grateful for the girl.

Thoughts lingered in her mind for a moment longer. What did she do to deserve her? She thought. Is it even okay that we are living together like this? She thought some more, the societal impacts weighing on her mind. She tried to clear her mind and focus on the reality of Sera adorably sleeping in front of her.

Ame’s hand moved instinctively, reaching out toward Sera’s soft golden hair, the urge to gently stroke it overpowering. But just as her fingertips were about to make contact, the sharp vibration of her phone startled her. She jerked her hand back, blinking in surprise before quickly straightening up.

Her heart skipped a beat as she read the contact name on the screen: Father.

Ame’s posture shifted immediately.

She braced herself, smoothing down her hair and standing tall, as if her father could see her through the call. With quiet precision, she turned on her heel and slipped into her office, closing the door gently behind her, careful not to disturb Sera’s peaceful sleep.

Inside her office, Ame took a deep breath and answered the call.

“Ame.” Her father’s voice came through, smooth yet laced with a familiar weight of expectation.

“Father,” she replied, her tone cool, already bracing for whatever was to come.

“How’s my dear daughter?” he asked, his voice dripping with false warmth. There was a familiar, condescending warmth in his tone.

“Drop it.” Ame said, Her voice tightened as she clenched her teeth. “What do you want?”

There was a brief pause before he responded, a slight chuckle undercutting his words. “Oh, come on, Ame. Don’t be like that. I just wanted to check in.”

Ame’s grip on her phone tightened. She knew better than to believe he called just to ‘check in.’

"I simply wanted to check in. Make sure my brilliant daughter is still doing well in her... teaching career." Her father finished.

"You mean the career you still don’t approve of." Ame hissed.

There was a pause on the other end. When he spoke again, the casualness was gone. "It’s not that I don’t approve, Ame. It’s just not what I envisioned for you. After all, I gave you every opportunity to follow in my footsteps. You’re brilliant at business—your grades in high school were exemplary. And yet, you chose something... fine, but not ideal."

"Not ideal?" Her voice raised slightly, barely keeping her frustration in check. "Don’t you realize?! Back then I didn’t choose business, you forced me into it! I never wanted to be the heir to your empire."

Her father’s sigh was audible over the line. "Ame, you would’ve made an exceptional leader. Better than anyone I could find to take my place."

"Is that why you pushed me so hard? Because you wanted to mold me into something that fit your narrative? I worked hard, killed myself, just to please you! And when I finally did something for myself—something that makes me happy—it’s ‘fine, but not ideal’?"

Her father’s voice grew colder. "You’re wasting your potential, Ame. Teaching? It’s beneath you. You could have influence, power, and prestige. Instead, you chose... mediocrity."

Ame’s jaw clenched, a bitter laugh escaping her. "Mediocrity? You think this is mediocrity? You don’t get it. You’ve never understood me. You just see me as another piece of your legacy, not as your daughter."

There was a brief silence before her father spoke again, his voice sharp. "You’ve always been ungrateful. I gave you everything. You repay me by throwing it all away for some... noble dream of ‘helping others.’ You were meant for more."

Ame’s anger reached its peak. "You only care about control. You don’t care about me. You never have."

Meanwhile, in the living room, Sera had woken up, startled by the raised voices.

She lay still on the couch, hearing Ame’s heated conversation through the door. Her heart raced as she listened, her surprise turning to fear. She had never heard Ame this angry before. The cold, composed professor she knew seemed to have vanished, replaced by someone fiercely passionate and hurt.

Back in the office, Ame’s father’s voice rang out, unrelenting. "I expected more from you, Ame."

"And I expected a father who actually cared about my happiness!!" she shot back yelling over the phone, her voice trembling slightly with emotion. "But I guess we’re both disappointed."

A heavy sigh came through the phone from her father, as if dismissing everything she had just said. Ame didn’t wait for another word. With a swift movement, she hung up the phone, the sharp click echoing in the small office. For a moment, silence filled the room, only interrupted by Ame’s ragged breathing as she tried to steady herself.

Without thinking, she slammed her fist onto her desk, the sound reverberating off the walls. She gripped the edges of the desk, her knuckles turning white as she fought to regain control. Her breaths came uneven, each one a battle against the emotions surging through her.

She stared down at the desk, her body trembling slightly. Then, her eyes caught her reflection in the mirror across the room. Her usual poised appearance was there, but barely holding together. She raised her head slowly, her back straightening, as though conditioned to never show weakness. She blinked back the tears, rehearsing the same cold composure she’d always worn like armor.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the door, Sera stood frozen, her hand pressed against it. She had heard everything. Her chest tightened at the sound of Ame’s voice, so full of anger and pain—something she had never thought the composed teacher could feel, let alone express so openly. Sera wanted to help her, wanted to reach out, but she wasn’t sure how.

But then, something, that feeling inside her pushed forward. Slowly, she turned the handle and gently pushed open the door, stepping into the room.

Ame gasped softly, caught off guard. Quickly, she turned her back to Sera, her hands instinctively hugging her own body as if to shield herself from view. She cleared her throat, her voice strained but still holding onto the mask of formality.

"Tsukiko... what are you doing here? I thought you were…" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she looked out the window, avoiding eye contact. She thought she was still asleep.

Sera hesitated, her heart pounding. "I-I’m sorry... I didn’t mean to... I just—" She took a deep breath, her voice soft but determined. "Is... everything alright, Misaki?"

Ame tightened her arms around herself, still facing the window, her body rigid. She refused to turn around, to let Sera see the cracks forming in her usually flawless facade. "I’m fine," she replied, though the words sounded hollow even to her. "It’s nothing for you to worry about."

But Sera didn’t move. She took a step closer, her concern evident despite her trembling hands. "You don’t... have to pretend with me," she said gently.

Ame’s heart clenched at those words, but she couldn’t—wouldn’t—let her student see her like this. She fought to keep her voice steady, the weight of her upbringing and all the expectations crushing down on her. "I’m your teacher, Sera. W-what you just said…It’s not... appropriate."

The student shook her head, still persistent.

Sera’s voice softened further, her compassion shining through. "I don’t care about that right now…since I’ve known you… you’ve always been there for me. I just…want to help you."

Ame stood there, the weight of Sera’s words sinking in. She wanted to open up, to let someone in for once, but she couldn’t—she wasn’t allowed to. Not with her. Not now. She swallowed hard, her eyes glued to the rain falling outside as she held herself tighter, trying desperately to keep herself from breaking down.

"I-I’m sorry... I-I... can’t..." Ame’s voice wavered, each word a battle. It took everything in her not to turn around, not to pull Sera into an embrace. A lone tear escaped, sliding silently down her cheek as she kept her back to the girl, her shoulders tense, trying to stay composed.

Sera stood frozen for a moment, sensing the deep struggle in Ame’s words, but not seeing the tear, not knowing just how much Ame was fighting against.

"I…understand. I apologize, Miss Misaki..." she murmured, her voice filled with disappointment.

Sera slowly turned, her footsteps quiet as she left the room, closing the door behind her with a soft click.

The moment the door closed, a wave of emotion hit Ame like a storm.

Her hand reached out instinctively toward the door, her fingers brushing the air, desperately wishing to stop Sera from leaving, to call her back, to let her in. But her strength failed, and she quietly crumbled to the floor, her body shaking as the tears finally broke free.

Tears streamed down her face, each one carrying the weight of years of suppressed feelings, of the unyielding expectations that had shaped her.

Her mind and heart were at war—the teacher who needed to maintain control, and the woman who longed for comfort. But in the end, Ame remained a prisoner to her mind, forcing herself not to think differently, even as her heart shattered.

Later that night, both Ame and Sera lay quietly in their respective rooms, the silence in the apartment heavy with unspoken words. Sera, feeling rejected after Ame’s earlier denial, couldn’t bring herself to eat, her mood sullen as she half-heartedly played on her handheld gaming device.

In her own room, Ame was still reeling from the tense call with her father. Unable to relax, she eventually left her room and wandered to the kitchen. As she washed the dishes, her eyes flicked to the untouched takeout on the counter. Guilt and loneliness gnawed at her. Sera had gone through all that effort, and she hadn’t even shared the meal with her.

Finishing the dishes in haste, Ame walked slowly down the hall to Sera’s room. Her hand hesitated on the door before pressing against it, soft and tentative, as though it were Sera herself she was touching. She leaned her forehead against the wood, closing her eyes.

"T-Tsukiko..." she called out gently, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sera, lying in bed, glanced up from her game, hearing the familiar softness in Ame’s voice. She paused the game, shifting slightly. "Hmm?" she answered quietly.

"Can you come out for a moment?" Ame’s fingers brushed the door, almost as if willing Sera to respond faster.

Hearing Sera’s approach, Ame straightened and stepped back. A moment later, the door creaked open, and they stood facing each other, neither meeting the other’s eyes at first.

"...I... I can't eat the food without you," Ame admitted, her voice still shaky from earlier tears.

Sera, still avoiding her gaze, couldn’t help the smile starting to curl at her lips. Despite the earlier tension, she appreciated that Ame was trying to make it up to her.

"….Please eat with me." Ame added, hugging herself as she spoke, her eyes vulnerable, pleading, like a lost puppy.

Sera finally looked at her. This time, there were no distractions, just the sight of Ame standing there, so vulnerable and open. It was such a rare moment to see her like this.

Trying to mask her excitement, Sera nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Okay."

Later, Ame would start prepping for dinner with Sera.

Ame silently moved to the microwave, carefully placing the noodles inside. The soft hum filled the kitchen as the food warmed. She glanced toward Sera with a small smile, who stood near the counter, her expression a mix of anticipation and lingering nerves.

Ame let out a small sigh, grateful for the quiet moment after everything that had happened.

Once the microwave beeped, Ame took the noodles out and set them on the table. She gestured for Sera to join her, and the two sat down facing each other under the warm glow of the kitchen lights. A gentle evening breeze blew in from a slightly cracked window, the sound of rain faintly in the distance, but here, it was peaceful.

They both began eating in a quiet rhythm, neither rushing.

After a few bites, Sera broke the silence, her voice soft but curious. "Is it good?"

Ame glanced up from her bowl, chewing thoughtfully before responding. "It’s very good, Tsukiko. Thank you so much."

Sera’s eyes brightened, and she smiled, the widest smile she'd given all night. "I'm glad," she said, warmth in her voice.

Ame swallowed another bite and then, after a moment of hesitation, looked back at Sera. "How much was it? I'll pay you back."

Sera quickly shook her head, still smiling. "No, it's my treat for you."

Ame blinked, a bit taken aback by Sera’s insistence. "Sera, but I can—" she started to protest, but Sera cut her off.

"No," Sera said firmly but kindly. "Let me treat you. Don’t worry about it."

Ame fell silent, watching her closely.

For once…she relaxed. It felt so nice being treated by someone else for once.

Sera’s heart pounded—she had taken so many risks today, pushing herself to get closer to her, and now, here they were, sharing something simple but special.

Ame, though reluctant to let Sera do so much for her, felt something soften inside, and with a weak but sincere smile, she nodded, appreciating Sera in her own quiet way.

After finishing their meal, Sera found herself catching Ame’s gaze. Ame, now full, shifted uncomfortably, trying to subtly hide herself, a slight self-consciousness creeping in. "Ah... I ate so much," she murmured, rubbing her stomach lightly as if embarrassed by it.

Sera, however, beamed at her, her smile wide and genuine. "Good. Very good." she replied with warmth in her voice, clearly pleased to see Ame satisfied. "Thank you again, Tsukiko." Ame added, her voice softer, more sincere.

As the two stood up from the table, Ame, dressed in her white nightgown that flowed lightly with the evening breeze, moved to the couch.

Her long black hair swayed gently behind her as she turned on the TV, its light casting a soft glow across the room.

Sera lingered at the table, fiddling with her hands, though she couldn’t help but notice Ame on the couch, looking serene and inviting.

She wanted to sit with her—she really did—but the thought of sitting so close made her stomach flip with nerves. Her heart pounded at the mere idea, butterflies swirling wildly. Could she handle it? Just as she debated staying at the table, Ame's voice broke through her thoughts.

"Tsukiko..." Ame called softly, her tone gentle and inviting.

Sera’s heart leaped, her train of thought coming to a sudden halt. "Uhm- yes, Miss Misaki?" she replied, her voice slightly higher than usual.

Ame, hesitant but with a courage she rarely showed, glanced at her before speaking. "Would you... sit with me? I'm about to watch one of my favorite shows, and..." her words trailed off, almost shyly, but the offer hung in the air.

Sera gulped, trying to play it off as nothing, though her insides were turning. "Y-Yes! Of course." she responded quickly, standing up, but her nerves were bubbling to the surface.

She walked over and sat beside Ame, but kept a distance, feeling the weight of her shyness. Her heart was racing so fast she thought Ame might hear it. Ame, noticing Sera’s awkward posture and the space between them, stole a few glances before quietly motioning for her to come closer.

"Come here…" Ame whispered, the words coaxing Sera forward.

Sera, swallowing hard, nervously scooted closer. Every inch made her more aware of the subtle touches—her leg brushing against Ame’s, the slight pressure of their shoulders. Her face burned with heat as she realized there was now practically nothing between them. Her hand, the one farthest from Ame, shook ever so slightly, the proximity making her heart race uncontrollably.

Ame, despite keeping her composed façade, felt the tension too. Sitting so close to Sera stirred something inside her, but she fought to remain calm, not wanting to let on how much she was affected.

Sera’s gaze began to wander to Ame, studying her out of the corner of her eye. The sight of Ame, so close, so effortlessly beautiful, was overwhelming. Her thoughts raced faster than her heart as her hand shook in her lap, trying to contain herself.

Then, abruptly, Ame stood up, breaking the tension. "I'm going to get something to drink," she said suddenly, walking towards the fridge, her voice still calm but with a hint of something else, perhaps her own nerves peeking through.

Sera, still feeling the heat on her cheeks, nodded shyly. "O-Okay..." she stammered softly, trying to steady herself, grateful for the momentary break from the closeness.

As Ame left for the kitchen, Sera immediately reached up, fixing her hair nervously and clearing her throat.

She tried to shake off the butterflies that seemed to swarm in her stomach every time Ame was near. When Ame disappeared around the corner, Sera's eyes instinctively followed her, but she quickly forced herself to look back at the TV, pretending to focus on the screen. She couldn’t let herself get too flustered—yet the mere thought of sitting beside Ame, so close, made it hard to breathe.

Ame returned promptly, carrying two beers in her hands. The sound of the cans clicking together snapped Sera’s attention back, her eyebrows raising slightly. Two beers? Really? She bit her lip, surprised that Ame, usually so composed and professional, was getting this comfortable with her. Her teacher seemed more relaxed than ever, and it made Sera's nerves run wild.

What was going on?

Ame placed the beers down gently on the glass table, the soft clink of the cans filling the quiet room. As she sat back down beside Sera, she purposely leaned her body into hers, the warmth of their closeness immediately electrifying the space between them. Sera's body visibly tensed up, her posture stiffening, and she turned her head slightly toward Ame, thinking this had to be a mistake.

Was Ame really leaning on her?

She glanced over, expecting to see some sign of embarrassment or a quick apology, but Ame was completely calm, her eyes focused on the TV. Sera could hardly believe it. Meanwhile, inside, Ame’s heart raced with excitement, but she maintained her composed façade. Every moment spent this close to Sera thrilled her—the warmth of her body, the soft sound of her breath, even her subtle scent was intoxicating.

She couldn’t help herself.

Ame’s calm exterior masked the chaos within as she sat there, loving every second of their contact.

Ame bent forward slightly to grab one of the beers, opening it with a crisp hiss. She took a few sips, her movements slow and measured, before sitting back, a small smile playing on her lips. Without thinking, she rested her head gently on Sera's shoulder.

The effect was immediate. Sera's eyes widened as a soft, almost inaudible gasp escaped her lips, a cute noise, as her whole body shook slightly from the surprise.

Her heart pounded, her mind scrambling to process the sensation of Ame resting on her, of their closeness becoming something far more intimate than she could’ve imagined.

Sera tried to remain composed, but her breath was caught in her throat, the proximity overwhelming her senses.

Ame, still playing it cool, remained quiet, her head on Sera’s shoulder, hiding the fact that she was just as affected by the closeness. Inside, though, she was just as nervous, savoring every second, but fighting to keep her calm exterior intact.

Ame took small sips of her beer at first, but as time passed, she began to drink more, the can emptying gradually. Sera, sitting beside her, struggled to keep her breathing steady, each subtle movement from Ame making her heart pound in her chest. She could feel Ame's warmth against her side, and every so often, she found herself sneaking glances at her teacher, her cheeks flushing whenever their eyes almost met. Ame seemed so relaxed, yet her presence was overwhelming to Sera in the most intoxicating way.

As Ame finished her drink, she leaned more into Sera, pretending to act tipsy, swaying just slightly.

Sera noticed this and, after hesitating, she shyly asked, "Miss Misaki... are you alright?"

Ame tilted her head, a soft smile forming on her lips.

"I'm fine," she murmured, her voice calm but teasing, trying to play up the act.

Sera nodded nervously, her attention drawn back to the TV as they continued watching. The room remained quiet for a while, until a particularly funny scene came on. Ame, still resting her head on Sera's shoulder, let out a soft giggle, the sound warm and delicate in Sera's ear. Her head remained there for a moment longer and she linked arms with the girl, the closeness making Sera's mind whirl. Ame then lifted her head, leaving Sera to fidget shyly, pretending to focus on the show.

But Ame, still pretending to be tipsy, dropped the act for just a moment. Her eyes were fixed on Sera now, no longer playful or teasing but filled with something deeper. She studied the way the television light illuminated Sera’s soft skin. Her heart pounded faster as she took in the sight of Sera’s golden hair cascading down her shoulders, framing her face so perfectly. She's so cute... Ame thought, her own restraint starting to unravel.

Sera, too busy trying to control her racing thoughts, hadn’t noticed Ame’s shift in attention. The moment was too much for Ame to resist, and before she could stop herself, she leaned in—closer and closer—her long, silky hair brushing against Sera's body.

And suddenly, she closed her eyes and leaned in.

Ame’s lips, plump, soft and warm, pressed against Sera’s cheek in a gentle kiss. The contact lasted just a split second, but it sent an electric shock through Sera, her heart practically leaping out of her chest. The feeling of Ame’s lips lingered, soft and almost unreal.

Ame quickly pulled away, her heart now racing uncontrollably as she stood up, the reality of what she’d just done crashing down on her.

She couldn’t believe it—she had kissed Sera. Her face flushed as she hurriedly moved away, almost as if nothing had happened, though her mind was spiraling.

Sera, however, was frozen in shock. The kiss barely registered at first, but the moment Ame stood up, it hit her all at once. Her eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat.

“Huh?!” she gasped, touching her cheek where Ame had kissed her, her mind reeling. “M-M-Miss Misaki?!”

Ame didn’t turn around as she walked away from the girl, her heart pounding too loudly in her ears to respond.

Sera stared after her, still processing what had just happened. The warmth of the kiss still tingled on her cheek as she sat there, completely stunned.

Did that really just happen?! She thought. It didn’t feel real!

Ame paused for a moment turning back to glance at Sera. Her face was flushed with embarrassment, but she forced a small smile.

"Goodnight, Tsukiko," she said quickly, her voice soft yet hurried. "Thanks for tonight..."

Without waiting for a response, Ame spun on her heels, her face burning red as she ran a hand through her silky black hair, speed-walking to her room. She closed the door gently but firmly behind her, the soft click echoing in the silent apartment.

Sera, still sitting on the couch, could only stare after her, mouth agape in pure shock. Her mind was racing, heart pounding as her trembling hand slowly reached up to the cheek where Ame had kissed her. Her fingers brushed the spot, feeling the lingering warmth of Ame’s lips. Her lips quivered, and she looked down at her hand, eyes wide, completely floored.

Suddenly, the disbelief ran over, and she wanted to scream, "WHAT?!!!" But instead, she threw herself into the couch pillows, burying her face into them as she squealed adorably, her legs kicking wildly in the air. Her heart raced, and her whole body felt light and tingly, like she was floating.

After what felt like forever, Sera finally calmed down, her breathing steadying. She sat up, her face flushed, and smiled at herself. She began to tidy up the living room, still in a daze, as her mind replayed the kiss over and over.

Later, she found herself sitting on the edge of her bed, staring out the window. The city skyline stretched out before her, twinkling under the dark, serene night sky. In the distance, she spotted a plane soaring quietly through the clouds, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder. Her hand reached up to her cheek again, gently touching the spot where Ame had kissed her.

"Ame…" she whispered softly, her heart swelling with warmth and disbelief. "Did you really... just kiss me?" A wide, euphoric smile spread across her face, her cheeks burning as she shook her head in disbelief. This felt like a dream—one she never wanted to wake up from.