Andrea couldn't move.
Samuel's hand was still resting lightly against her cheek, warm even through the cold rain.
Her heart felt violent inside her chest.
Too fast.
Too loud.
Too real.
Then stay.
The words echoed inside her head over and over again.
Andrea looked at him carefully.
Like she was waiting for him to suddenly laugh.
To pull away.
To ruin the moment.
But he didn't.
Samuel just stood there.
Looking at her like he meant every word he said.
Andrea swallowed hard.
"You're making this really difficult."
Samuel's mouth twitched slightly.
"Good."
Andrea let out a nervous laugh.
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
That shut her up immediately.
The rain continued falling softly around them, quieter now, almost calming.
Andrea's eyes flicked down to his lips for half a second.
A mistake.
Because Samuel noticed.
Of course he did.
The air between them shifted instantly.
Andrea's breath caught.
"This is a bad idea," she whispered again.
Samuel stepped slightly closer.
"You keep saying that."
"Because it's true."
"Then why are you still here?"
Andrea opened her mouth—
Then closed it.
Because she didn't have an answer anymore.
Or maybe she did.
And she was too scared to say it out loud.
Samuel's fingers brushed lightly against her jaw.
Careful.
Patient.
Like he was waiting for permission.
Andrea's chest tightened painfully.
"No one's ever looked at me like this before," she admitted quietly.
Samuel's expression softened instantly.
Andrea looked away.
"That's terrifying."
Samuel's voice lowered.
"You want me to stop?"
Andrea looked back at him immediately.
And that alone answered the question.
Samuel noticed.
His eyes softened even more.
Andrea laughed shakily.
"I hate that you understand me."
Samuel smirked faintly.
"No you don't."
And the worst part?
He was right.
The silence between them wasn't awkward anymore.
It felt full.
Heavy with everything neither of them fully knew how to say.
Andrea's heartbeat got worse the closer Samuel stood.
But she still didn't step back.
That mattered.
Samuel looked at her one more time.
Like he was checking.
Making sure.
Then he moved closer slowly.
Enough for Andrea to feel his breath.
Her chest rose sharply.
Every instinct in her screamed to panic.
To run.
But another part of her—
The tired, lonely part—
Wanted this more than anything.
Samuel's hand slid gently from her cheek to the side of her neck.
Still careful.
Still giving her space to stop him.
Andrea's eyes fluttered shut for a second.
And then—
Samuel kissed her.
Softly.
Nothing rushed.
Nothing aggressive.
Just warm.
Real.
Andrea froze for half a heartbeat from pure shock.
Because this felt completely different from Matthew.
Different from drunken kisses at parties.
Different from boys wanting things from her.
This kiss didn't feel hungry.
It felt intentional.
Like he was trying to tell her something without words.
Andrea's hands grabbed his hoodie instinctively.
And then she kissed him back.
Harder.
Desperate almost.
All the emotions she buried for years cracked open at once.
Samuel pulled her closer carefully, one hand against her waist now while the rain poured around them.
Andrea felt dizzy.
Not from alcohol this time.
From him.
From being wanted like this.
Chosen like this.
Samuel slowly pulled back just enough for their foreheads to rest together.
Both breathing unevenly.
Andrea's eyes stayed closed for a second longer.
Like she was scared the moment would disappear if she looked at it directly.
Samuel's voice came out quiet.
"You okay?"
Andrea let out a shaky laugh.
"No."
Samuel smiled faintly.
"Good."
Andrea opened her eyes finally and stared at him.
"You're unbelievable."
Samuel brushed wet hair away from her face gently.
"And you're shaking."
Andrea realized he was right.
Her hands trembled slightly against his hoodie.
Not from cold.
From fear.
From relief.
From everything.
Samuel noticed the panic flickering in her expression.
Immediately.
His voice softened again.
"Hey."
Andrea looked at him.
"You can still run if you want."
That hurt unexpectedly.
Because he really would let her go if she asked.
No pressure.
No force.
Just choice.
Andrea stared at him for a long moment.
Then slowly—
She shook her head.
Samuel's expression softened completely.
And for the first time in Andrea's life—
Staying didn't feel impossible anymore.