As the night deepened, the magic of the evening lingered between us. Lise drove us back to the academy, the journey filled with a comfortable silence punctuated by occasional glances and smiles. The city lights flickered past us, creating a mesmerizing tapestry of colors that mirrored the warmth growing between us.
When we arrived, Lise parked the car and walked me to my room. She hesitated at the door, her hand still in mine. "I had a wonderful time tonight," she said softly, her eyes reflecting the light of the hallway.
"Me too," I replied, reluctant to let go of her hand. "It was perfect."
Lise gave me a gentle smile and started to turn away. "I should let you get some rest. Good night, Eileen."
Before she could step away, I tightened my grip on her hand. "Wait," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Stay."