Chapter 3: After Hours and Almost Kisses

The café had been closed for nearly an hour, but Riya and Miya still lingered behind the counter, half-heartedly wiping tables just to delay leaving. The air felt heavy — not uncomfortable, but charged in a way Riya couldn’t quite explain.

“You know,” Miya muttered, stacking cups on a tray, “I think we’ve worked hard enough to deserve some kind of… reward.”

Riya scoffed. “We drank your ‘free’ hot chocolates yesterday.”

“Exactly.” Miya grinned. “Time for something new.”

Before Riya could ask what she meant, Miya bolted toward the storage room.

“Miya!” Riya hissed, laughing despite herself. “You know we’re not supposed to—”

“Relax!” Miya’s voice echoed from inside. A few seconds later, she returned, holding a keychain-sized flashlight.

Riya blinked. “What’s that?”

“Follow me.”

Curiosity outweighed common sense, so Riya grabbed her bag and followed Miya out the back door.

The alley behind the bookstore was dimly lit, with a narrow staircase leading to the rooftop. Miya took the lead, climbing two steps at a time. Riya hesitated at the bottom.

“You coming or what?” Miya called down, flashing her a grin.

“Do I have a choice?” Riya muttered, trudging up after her.

The rooftop was nothing special — just a flat space with gravel crunching beneath their shoes. But from here, the city stretched out below them, warm streetlights glowing like stars on the pavement.

“Wow,” Riya murmured. “I never knew it looked like this.”

“Told you,” Miya said proudly.

They stood side by side, the silence strangely comfortable. The night breeze tugged at Riya’s hair, making her shiver.

“You cold?” Miya asked.

“I’m fine,” Riya said quickly.

“Liar.” Miya shrugged off her hoodie and draped it over Riya’s shoulders without asking.

Riya froze. The warmth of Miya’s jacket clung to her, and the faint scent of citrus shampoo mixed with Miya’s usual minty gum. She wanted to say something — anything — but her words tangled in her throat.

“You’re staring,” Miya teased.

Riya jerked her gaze away. “No, I wasn’t.”

“Oh, totally.” Miya smirked. “I know I’m hard to resist.”

“Shut up,” Riya mumbled, pulling the hoodie tighter.

Miya laughed softly, then her smile faded. “Hey…” she began, her voice quieter now. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

Miya hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the flashlight. “Do you ever… feel like you’re supposed to say something, but you’re too scared you’ll mess it up?”

Riya’s breath hitched. “Yeah… all the time.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Miya turned, stepping closer — just a little too close.

“You’re doing that crinkle thing again,” Miya said softly, pointing to the corner of Riya’s eye.

“Am not.”

“You totally are.”

This time, Miya’s hand didn’t just brush her hair aside — her fingers lingered, warm against Riya’s cheek. Riya felt her heart hammering in her chest, loud enough she was sure Miya could hear it.

“You know,” Miya murmured, “if I kissed you right now… would you stop me?”

Riya’s breath caught. Miya’s face was barely inches from hers — close enough that Riya could see the faint scar on her eyebrow, the tiny freckle just beneath her ear.

“I…” Riya’s voice faltered. She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to say — what she wanted to say.

But before she could answer, Miya’s hand dropped, and she stepped back.

“Sorry,” Miya muttered quickly, stuffing her hands into her pockets. “That was dumb. Forget I said anything.”

Riya stood frozen, the warmth of Miya’s touch still lingering on her skin.

“It’s… okay,” she managed to say.

Miya’s smile returned — but it didn’t quite reach her eyes this time.

“C’mon,” Miya said, her voice light again. “We should head back before our boss thinks we’re robbing the place.”

Riya nodded, but her thoughts were still spinning.

She should’ve said something. She should’ve stopped Miya from pulling away.

But instead, she followed her down the steps — heart still racing, her head still full of unanswered questions.

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Later that night, Riya lay awake in bed, replaying the rooftop moment over and over. Her phone buzzed on her nightstand.