Chapter 30 – The Morning Light
The soft hum of morning traffic drifted through the window. Golden light poured into the room, catching the edges of the curtains and tracing a warm glow along the sheets.
Andrea stirred first.
She blinked slowly, adjusting to the unfamiliar ceiling, then turned her head. Sheik was still asleep, one arm draped loosely across her waist, his breathing deep and peaceful. In sleep, all his sharp edges had softened — no more jokes, no more charm. Just the boy she loved, unguarded and real.
She stayed like that for a moment, just watching him. Memorizing the way the light hit his cheekbones. The way his lashes fluttered faintly with dreams.
Eventually, he stirred.
"Hey," he whispered, voice scratchy with sleep.
"Hey," she whispered back.
They smiled at each other, sleepy and quiet, like the world had slowed down just for them.
For a long time, neither moved. There was no rush — no alarms, no practice, no canvas waiting for paint. Just the warmth of the morning and the comfort of knowing they had crossed into something new, together.
"How do you feel?" Sheik asked, brushing her hair gently behind her ear.
Andrea's gaze softened. "Like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be."
He let out a breath. "Same."
They didn't talk much about what happened the night before. They didn't need to. It was written in every glance, every small touch, every moment of quiet between them. A new kind of closeness had settled — deeper, more certain. Not just physical, but emotional. Soul-deep.
Andrea got up first, pulling on one of Sheik's oversized shirts, and wandered to the tiny balcony with a cup of coffee in her hands. He watched her from the bed, heart swelling at the sight. She was glowing in a different way — calm, radiant, hers.
"You okay?" she asked, turning to him.
"Better than okay," he said. "I just… I didn't know it was possible to love someone this much."
She looked at him for a long moment. "It is."
They stayed there — sharing coffee, trading soft words and smiles — while the city woke up around them. A world that once felt too big, too loud, now felt just the right size. Because they were in it, together.
And whatever came next — university, soccer, art, the unknown — they knew this moment would stay with them.
Always.