The yacht swayed gently on the waters of Sydney Harbour, city lights glistening. Light music pulsed through the air, laughter and clinking glasses blending together. Creating a perfect celebration for our graduation.

But I have one problem

“Stop following me”

I take a deep breath and turn around, my eyes narrows looking at him in frustration “what's your problem?” I ask sharply

“I am not following you” he replies, his voice quick. Lucas stands still, his eyes never leaving mine. Thanks to my heels I am able to properly look at him without straining my neck.

I scoff, crossing my arms “you totally are!”

His eyes flickers, a subtle hint of nervousness on his face “I am just …. walking in the same direction! It's a yacht, limited space” he says defensively but his tone is so-not convincing.

It's a yacht, yes but it does have plenty of space to walk around for more than thirty guests here.

Does he think I don't understand?

“Oh really? Because you’ve been ‘walking in my direction’ for the past hour.” I point out, the side of my lip twitches to hide my growing smirk.

“coincidence”  Lucas clears his throat, shifting slightly. I watch him look behind me and then back at me. I raise my eyebrow in curiosity and turn around a bit.

I see a bunch of his teammates looking at us but when I look at them, they quickly avert their gaze.

Oh

“Lucas” I say in the sweetest tone I could speak in, stepping closer to him. His eyes widens, shoulders tensing at my approximately. “Are you jealous ?”

He scoffs again but this time with less conviction “What? No, why would I and what for?”

A wide smirk breaks out on my lips, he have enjoyed it so much teasing me every chance I got while i was left speechless - not it's my turn

I lean in closer, voicing out his actions teasingly “of your teammates staring at my back? Do you not like it?”

His jaw clenches “no one is seeing your back”

“It's because you keep standing behind me” I reply as a matter of fact. But seeing his nervousness and that subtle annoyance gives me some different kind of satisfaction.

He gives me a look. I know exactly what he is doing. Just a little confusion on why

Is he jealous in that way?

Nope, stupid. It's not possible?

“So you don't mind if I bring my hair forward to show off the amazing design Stella made? Or maybe put my hair in a ponytail, even better if you put my hair in a bun - you are good at it right?” I push his buttons more, seeing how he would react

I know I am enjoying this way too much. He can see it too and it adds fuel to his fire. Then, before I could react, he turned quickly - pinning me against the nearby wall side to the pillar that covers us

My eyes widens at the sudden change of position. The cool wall behind my bare back spreads goosebumps across my skin. He leans closer, inhaling sharply as if he is drinking in my scent as a memory.

He isn't touching me, our faces holding an appropriate gap between us. Yet his closeness is not less than his touch

“Lucas” I mutter out, my voice shakes as all my confidence drains out as the tables have turned.

His gaze zeros on me, his eyes flickers to my eyes and then lower to my lips. My breath hinches at the realization. This isn't the first time he looked at me like that

“Lucas, Remember clause no. 13?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper. My hands clenching the side of my dress nervously, my heart is racing so fast. It shouldn't, it shouldn't be racing for him

His eyes snaps at me again, turning deeper. His hands clenches into a fists beside my head remembering the rule

Clause no. 13 - no intimate touch

“What if I break the clause?” He asks, his voice rougher than usual. I blink in surprise, what is he saying? Why is he saying all of that so suddenly! “You will get penalty” I reply, gulping down the sudden stiffness in my throat

“What will be your penalty?” He asks, slowly moving closer, our noses almost touching. My legs goes weak, if i wasn't against the wall then i would have definitely fallen

“Keeping a distance of 5-feets” I blurt out without thinking. Hoping he steps back a bit, let me breathe properly. Please. I pray in my mind.

“You are the sweetest menace!” He mutters out before pushing himself away from me and walking away without saying another word. I let out a sigh of relief, my head falling back as I close my eyes

I keep my hand on my heart trying to calm it

This didn't seem so intense in books and movies until I experienced it. How do those actors do it?

Wait

Did he just call me a menace?

I scoff in disbelief and straighten up to go behind him but he is already gone and pushing his buttons would lead to more trouble for me

I huff crossing my arms, that was kinda hot though

“Damn that was some flirting” a voice says from behind making me jump. I turn around to find Lana looking at me with a mischievous glint.

I chuckle awkwardly, fixing my dress “what? We weren't flirting!” I say clearly but then the realization of our fake dating dawns upon me. I quickly try to rephrase myself “No, I mean-”

She gently waves her hand dismissively, stepping closer to me “oh it's alright, I love your chemistry girl” she says with a small giggle. From her words, I don't think she heard about the clause.

I sigh in relief “oh hm thanks. I was just teasing” I mumble trying to justify myself to an almost stranger.

Me and my habit of over explaining

“Girl, teasing is quite equal to flirting. Chill, I understand” she says assuringly. Oh but you don't understand Lana and luckily I don't need to explain much. I bit my lower lip at another realization, flirting? Seriously? I was just teasing him-

Is that why he was almost going to kiss me?

Was he?

It's just teasing or maybe some harmless flirting? Right?

“I came to ask you to join our photo session, we will click some solos for you too. You look stunning tonight” she says, her words soft and genuine that makes me smile

“Thank you” I reply, feeling a little shy. Compliments are good but they are extremely hitting when another gorgeous girl compliments you. “You look gorgeous tonight” I compliment back, looking at her shimmering black dress

“Oh thanks! Come with me please” she says, dragging me away.

✄-------

The party was loud. Music, laughter, the occasional sound of champagne glasses clinking together. His teammates were in full celebration mode, and the yacht rocked gently with the movement of the people dancing on deck

I am tired

I don't think I could dance more

For taking hundreds of pictures with the girls and dancing my heart out, I don't think I can anymore

I take a deep breath feeling the cool breeze of the night. The calming sound of water as the ship moves. I hold the railing and lean a bit forward watching the water of Sydney harbour. I always wanted to experience this and finally I am!

“Don't fall” Lucas's voice snaps me out of my thoughts. I turn around to see him standing below the elevated stairs for the railing. His face makes me remember our previous encounter. An awkward silence hangs between us.

“What are you doing?” He asks, breaking the silence. His face remains neutral like nothing happened. I shrug nonchalantly,“trying to recreate the Titanic scene” I reply, again without thinking

He raises his eyebrow before stepping closer, his shoe tapping against the flooring syncing with my heartbeat

“This is the second time you are giving a Titanic reference, do you like that movie that much?” He questions making me frown, second time? Oh

The last time was when he asked me to be his muse and I just randomly remembered the Titanic scene and now here we are again.

Now my fault if that's how my brain works, I didn't choose it

“Nope, I just said it randomly” I say, turning back to the water trying to keep my cool. He comes up and stands beside me, leaning forward against the railing.

I peek at him with the corner of my eye, tracing his jawline visible because of his side profile, his straight nose and his lips-

I quickly shake my head and look away. Why is this happening!

He could have said anything. A stupid joke. Some offhand remark about the view. But instead "You okay?" He says, almost concerned

I smile and nod, his question was surprising as if he is making sure I am not overwhelmed. “Yeah, just processing everything”

Lucas leaned against the railing beside her, letting the silence take over us The water rippled gently below, endless and dark, stretching endlessly

I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly feeling cold "It’s weird, isn’t it? We spent so long wanting to graduate, and now that it’s here, I don’t know what to feel."

I don't know why I said that. I don't know if he feels the same way

But when his expression shifts to something else. I receive my answer without a single exchange

"Yeah," he says quietly. "It’s like standing at the edge”

I nod “exactly”

For a moment, there was nothing but the ocean, the wind, and him

“About earlier…” He starts, with his tone I could already figure out where this is going. I hold my hand up “let's not talk about it and go with the clauses” I state firmly despite my inner thoughts.

He opens his mouth in protest but doesn't say anything.He turns his head away but I could catch the glimpse of his almost dissapionted expressions

“I am tired. I am gonna remove my heels and sit. These are so annoying” I announce and start walking away, my feet already giving out and it's not because of heels.

If anyone else would have tried that with me i would I have kicked in the perfect place but when he was so close I just couldn't think of pushing him away. My mind just went blank and all I could do is stare into his eyes waiting for him to react

But he backed out when I asked too

Should I be happy or dissapionted by it?

I sigh and collapse on the small couch inside. A small wince escape my mouth as I remove my heels. I curl and uncurl my toes freeing them. Dancing in heels was a bad idea. Only Stella could master this

Stella!

I totally forgot! She said she would message me after the proposal, I quickly grab my phone to see for any notification but they are none. I frown, it's almost midnight. The dinner should have been over by now

There might be the two reasons - either they haven't proposed yet or they did and spending sometime together.

Shouldn't disturb them. I put my phone aside and lay back against the couch, closing my eyes for a brief moment to relax.