Chapter 79 - A real date

I'm staring at my phone, fingers hovering over the screen as I type and delete the message for the third time. Asking Celeste out shouldn't be this complicated, but it feels like I'm overthinking every word. I can face the most dangerous situations with ease, but this... asking her out feels like standing at the edge of a cliff.

Finally, I hit send:

Wanna grab something to eat with me later?

- Liam

I wait, staring at the screen, a little knot forming in my chest. It's not even five seconds before I see the typing bubble pop up.

No, I can’t.

- Celeste

I frown, the immediate rejection hitting me harder than it should. My fingers fly over the keyboard as I send the next message.

Why not?

- Liam

There’s a pause, and I can almost imagine her staring at her phone, biting her lip, thinking of how to respond. My phone pings again, her message short.

I just can’t.

- Celeste

I shake my head, already feeling the frustration rise. She’s dodging me, and I don’t like it. If there’s one thing I ha