The next day, Maya could barely focus. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion, excitement, and nerves. The kiss with Lucas from the day before still lingered in her mind, and now, she didn’t know how to act. Things between them had shifted so fast, and part of her still wasn’t sure how to navigate this new reality.

As she walked into school, she half-expected Lucas to be waiting for her by her locker like usual, but when she turned the corner, he wasn’t there. A flicker of disappointment passed through her, but she quickly brushed it aside. They hadn’t exactly defined anything. She didn’t even know what they were now. Were they just kissing? Were they dating?