Oliver was in his room, probably lost in a show or a call with Elena, while I sat curled up on the couch, half-watching the TV flicker in front of me. I didn’t hear a knock—just the quiet creak of the front door opening. My head turned instinctively.
Persy stood in the doorway, shoulders tense, his fingers anxiously tugging at the cuff of his hoodie. My stomach did a weird flip.
“Persy?” I asked, more confused than anything, though I tried to keep my tone light. “Hey, what’s up?”
He smiled but it was forced. He offered a quiet “Hey, Ave,” and stepped further into the room, gaze darting around before settling on me. “Nothing much… I just—I needed to tell you something.”
His voice wavered slightly, tight with something I couldn’t place. He looked like he was holding his breath. Like whatever he was carrying had been building for too long.
“Oh?” I asked, slowly straightening. “Is everything okay?”
He nodded, but it didn’t reach his eyes. His fingers twisted harder in the fabric of his sleeve. “Averie,” he began, then stopped. Swallowed. “I love you.”
The world stilled. My face slacks in shock. My thoughts scattered like sand in a breeze. My heart started pounding so hard I was sure he could hear it. guess Oliver and Elena were right Trous du cul.
He didn’t stop there.
“I needed to tell you before it was too late. Before… something happened. Before I lost the chance. I’ve loved you since we were teens, and I don’t expect anything—really, I don’t—I just…” He gave a nervous, broken laugh. “I’m sorry if this ruins things…. I just couldn’t keep it in anymo-”
He looked so wrecked, like he’d just torn his own heart out and laid it at my feet.
And something in me snapped.
I stood before even knowing what I was doing—on instinct, on adrenaline, on every unsaid thing between us—and I kissed him. Effectively cutting him off
For a second, he froze. I could feel his surprise in how he held still, his hands hesitant at his sides. My chest was caving in. I thought I’d messed everything up.
But then—his palm came up, gentle and trembling, cradling my face like I might vanish. And he kissed me back.
And god, did he kiss me.
It wasn’t soft—it was years of tension, of near-misses, of what-ifs colliding in one dizzying breath. My fingers were in his hair. His thumb brushed under my eye like he was trying to memorize me.
Neither of us noticed Oliver until it was too late. The creak of the hallway, the soft intake of breath, and then—
A camera shutter.
I broke apart from Persy, wide-eyed, just as Oliver turned back toward his room with a horrified gasp, muttering “Mon Dieu” under his breath. We didn’t see the glint of his phone in his hand as he disappeared, probably already texting Elena.
Persy’s forehead rested against mine, and his hand was softly creasing my cheek, sending shivers down my spine. His eyes were glassy, searching mine like he couldn’t quite believe any of this was real.
And breathless, I whispered, “I love you too, Persy.”
His exhale shook, quiet and raw.
Author’s Note:
I am writing my debut novel called “Love As Sweet As Wildflowers” and this is the love confession scene from it.
Talia Quateen | 16 | United Arab Emirates | @love_as_sweet_as_blood on TikTok & @taliawrites on Instagram
