Hugo leaned against the door, squinting at the balcony where Lisa stood.
The moonlight seemed to frame her figure perfectly, her hair cascading down her shoulders like a scene straight out of a romantic movie.
Hugo's heart pounded as his mind raced.
"Alright, Hugo, this is it," he told himself. "Your redemption arc. The universe clearly felt bad about earlier. Why else would Lisa be alone on the balcony looking like... that? This has to be fate. Right? RIGHT?"
But another voice chimed in, dripping with scepticism. 'Or maybe she just needed some air, and you're about to make an idiot of yourself. Again.'
Hugo shook his head. "No way. This has to be fate. Cosmic alignment. The gods are rooting for me!" He stood straighter, puffed out his chest, and began his approach.
Halfway to the balcony, Lisa turned to look at him. Her eyes, sharp and green, locked onto his, and Hugo froze mid-step like a deer caught in headlights.