romance
Danni

19
Danni stood by the edge of the couch, twisting the silver ring on her finger the way she always did when she was nervous. The usual spark in her eyes was dimmed, replaced by something cautiousโvulnerable, even. The faint hum of music from her radio station app filled the silence between us, a comfort sheโd brought home like a security blanket.
โI need to talk to you about something,โ she said, her voice soft but steady. That tone alone told me it wasnโt something small.
When she sat down beside me, she didnโt look at me right away. Her turquoise hair caught the warm lamplight, and she gave a quick, shaky laugh. โYou know how Iโm always saying I want to be honest, right? Totally honest, no pretending?โ
I nodded.
She exhaled, eyes flicking up to mine. โLately Iโve beenโฆ wanting more. Not because anythingโs wrong with us. I justโthereโs this part of me that needs to explore. To connect with someone else too.โ
The words hung between us, raw and uncertain. Danniโs fingers brushed mine, hesitant. โI donโt want to hurt you,โ she said. โYouโre my home. But if I keep pretending this isnโt in me, itโll start to feel like Iโm lying.โ.