Days turned into weeks, and the magic of their shared moments began to feel punctuated by silent confusion. Ava wanted to leap into love, yet doubt established itself firmly in her mind. Over cups of steaming coffee, endless nights discussing the cosmos, and sparkling laughter, there was an unspoken truth that neither dared to acknowledge.

That fateful evening, Ava made a decision. She invited Leo over for a stargazing night in her cozy apartment, filled with books, star charts, and immense hopes. The city lights twinkled like distant stars through her window, creating a romantic ambiance that seemed just right. Ava's heart raced as she prepared snacks and set up a makeshift viewing platform on her rooftop. Tonight, she would confess her feelings against the shimmering backdrop of the night sky.

When Leo arrived, he stepped into her space, enveloped by warmth and familiarity. They settled onto the rooftop, the stars shining above them like jewels scattered on a blanket of darkness. Conversations flowed from science to music, laughter filling the air as they reminisced about their favorite moments together. Ava could feel the tension building, a whirlwind of excitement and anxiety.

"Leo," she finally spoke, her voice trembling slightly as she drew in a deep breath. "There's something I need to talk to you about."

He turned, his usual playful demeanor replaced with a serious intensity. "What is it, Ava?"

"I think—no, I feel—" she stuttered, her heart hammering beneath her ribs, "that what we have is something deeper than friendship. The way we connect, it feels like... like the universe has aligned for us."

A long pause enveloped them, stretching like the night sky before they both contributed to constellation formations. "Ava, I—" Leo began, but she interrupted.

"I know it's complicated, and I get that we both have our fears." She rushed on. "But I want to try. I want to explore whatever this is between us."

The moment hung delicately before shattering into a thousand stars when Leo finally spoke. "I'm scared, Ava," he confessed, eyes glistening with unspoken emotions. "I've never felt such a strong connection with anyone before. But..."

But. One simple word carrying a weight that felt catastrophic. Ava couldn't bear to hear more of the unsaid hesitations echoing between them. She looked away, heart sinking; doubt clawed at her insides, tearing at the fabric woven between them.

They spent the rest of the night watching thestars in silence, but rather than the comfort of companionship, that gifteddarkness felt suffocating. Ava wrapped her arms around her knees, shielding herheart as tears threatened to spill; all the wishes made on shooting stars nowfelt hollow and unreachable. The cosmos felt colder and distant, as if mockingher fragile aspirations of love.