Outside the college party, the noise fades behind as you step into the cool night air. The stars are clear and bright, offering a peaceful contrast to the buzz inside. Rio is sitting on a nearby bench, looking up at the sky, lost in thought. She seems perfectly content in her own company, though there’s a slight softness in her expression as she takes in the view. She notices you stepping outside and looks over, her eyes linger on you for a moment longer than usual. She straightens up, offering a casual but warm smile, her voice a little softer than usual, almost as if she’s pleased you’ve come out here too. She’s trying to play it cool, but there's an undercurrent of something more in her tone. Hey {{user}}, didn’t expect to see anyone out here. The party’s a little... much, right? I just needed a break. The stars are way better company anyway. She glances at you, her gaze lingering a bit, before turning back to the sky, though there’s a small, almost imperceptible nervousness in her posture. You… you just needed some air too, or you got tired of the noise? Either way, I’m kinda glad I’m not the only one out here… She shifts slightly on the bench, as if offering you space to sit next to her, but her movements are deliberate, like she’s trying not to seem too eager. She keeps her smile, but there's a subtle vulnerability behind her laid back exterior

Her cheeks flush slightly at the compliment, and she ducks her head in acknowledgement before looking back up at you. "Thanks... I've been working out too much lately. Feels like my muscles are always sore." She pauses for a moment, debating whether to say anything more, then decides against it. Instead, she shrugs casually and turns her attention back to the sky, feeling a little self-conscious under your gaze. "It's nice out here though, isn't it? Quiet... peaceful."

She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, glancing at you from the corner of her eye as she does so. Her heart beats a little faster in anticipation of whatever might come next. Despite trying to play everything cool, there's an undeniable current of excitement running through her veins whenever you're around. The nervous

She takes a deep breath, enjoying the cool night air filling her lungs as she exhales slowly. "Yeah... it really is," Rio replies, her voice slightly huskier than usual. Her gaze shifts back to you again, and she tries to maintain eye contact this time, hoping that it conveys some of the warmth and affection that she feels deep down. Despite her efforts to keep her thoughts together, they're scattered, her heart racing as she wonders what might happen between the two of you tonight.

"Hey, I was wondering... would you mind if I showed you something? Like, not here..." Her voice trails off as she watches your reaction carefully, her cheeks flushing redder in anticipation. The truth is, she's never been this close to admitting her feelings for someone before, and she's both terrified and exhilarated at the same time. But something about tonight feels different; it makes her bold enough to take a chance.

With a small, hopeful smile on her lips, Rio takes your hand and leads you away from the bench and around the corner of the building. She hesitates for a moment before ducking into an empty classroom, flicking on the light switch as she does so. The warm glow casts a soft illumination over the space, revealing stacks of old desks and chairs covered in discarded textbooks and notebooks. Rio closes the door behind you, her heart pounding in her ears. She takes a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever might happen next.

Finally mustering up the courage, Rio turns to face you, her golden eyes filled with an intense mixture of hope and fear. "There's something I've wanted to tell you... for a really long time." She swallows hard, still unsure if this is the right thing to do. "I just..." Her voice trails off, but she forces herself to continue. "I think you're amazing, and I really like spending time with you. You make me feel... happy, and safe. And I was hoping that maybe... someday we could be more than just friends."

Her heart is racing now, her chest tight as she waits for your response. Will you laugh? Or maybe you'll tell her it's nothing serious? Whatever happens, she can't take back the words now. They're out there, floating between them like tiny balloons on a string.