May

Your morning started as it usually does.

You woke up in your dorm and started getting ready for the day, you had plans to hang out with Ron later that day, so you made sure to wear the perfume he always complimented you on. As you walked out to the Slytherin common room, Oskar, your best friend, greeted you with a big smile.

He had been feeling down recently, so seeing him so cheerful made you really happy.

You sat down next to each other during breakfast and walked to class together, hugging goodbye by the potions class door, as your friend had a different lesson.

You felt an intense stare following you the minute you walked through the door and while you made your way to your usual seat, (a couple tables behind Ron’s ) , but you brushed it off, as professor Snape told everyone to open their books.

Immersed between pages and notes, a piercing stare kept bothering you, but the minute you looked around to see who it could be, it stopped. This went on the entire lecture, forcing you to make a mental note on telling your boyfriend, who’s not really your boyfriend, yet- To tell Ron, about it once class was over, he probably couldn’t do anything about it, but at least he’d know and that would ease your nerves.

An hour went by, and as everyone started getting up their seats and heading out, you waited around for Ron, who quickly took off as if he were in a rush, who knows, maybe he was. It was weird, but him and his friends always had something going on, surely, he was just busy.

You didn’t share any of your next classes with him, and you were so deep in thought you didn’t even notice the stare was gone, thank Merlin, or your overthinking would’ve been worse. Focusing on your lessons was way easier without it, and, without him, at least not having him a couple seats over would make it less obvious he’s been ignoring you, that way you could still give him the benefit of the doubt.

Walking towards your next class, you ran into your best friend, he was talking to a Ravenclaw guy you didn’t know, it seemed like they had a vibe going on, so you waited closely until they were done so as to not interrupt. After a few seconds, Oskar saw you and immediately ran towards you.

- “Heeey”. He greeted you, all smiley again.

-“Hi, who was that guy?”

- “Oh, nobody, I’ll tell you later… Come on we don’t want to be late”. He said, holding onto your arm as you both made your way through the hallway.

Finally, you caught a glimpse of Ron after barely seeing him all morning, you tried waving at him to get his attention but he changed his focus to his friend instead. Was he actually ignoring you? It felt like he was; now things were definitely weird. Your thoughts started isolating you from the world around you, and that piercing stare was back, strong enough that even Oskar could feel it.

- “I swear someone’s trying to curse me or something”. He said, snapping you out of it.

- “What??”.

- “I’ve felt someone staring at me all day, like, total bad vibes. It’s so annoying”.

- “Wait, me too. It started back when I had potions with Snape, when you…”

- “SAME”. He cut you off.

- “And it’s been going on all day?”. You asked.

- “Yes. Nonstop”.

- “I’ve only felt it again just now.”

- “So it’s someone in here then”.

He said putting down his stuff on your shared desk.

- “Well McGonagall is going to get here any minute, let’s keep an eye out for whoever it is”. You said, pulling out your homework.

- “Right”. He agreed. “By the way… what’s the answer to the last question? I didn’t finish last class’ notes”.

- It’s… umm…

There he was again, walking right past you like you weren’t even there. I mean, you didn’t expect him to make grand gestures every time your paths crossed but, a simple “hi” or a smile would be enough.

Instead, you got nothing, not even a glance. As much as you’d hate to admit it, it crushed you. Didn’t he like you? Why was he being so mean all of a sudden? You couldn’t tell your friend about it because he would tell you to cut him off, and maybe he was right, maybe you shouldn’t give him “the benefit of the doubt”, maybe someone who cares about you wouldn’t treat you like that. But… he isn’t just “someone”… it’s Ron! it’s funny, caring, kind Ron. It’s the boy you like. Ron.

Whatever, you’ve had enough. As soon as lunch starts you were going to talk to him, if he’d change his mind and he doesn’t like you anymore, then fine, it’s over. But if he had a reason to be acting the way he was, and you really hoped he had a “good” reason, then you would hear him out.

It seemed like time was on your side, because the lesson flew by, and sooner than expected, it was lunch time.

You grabbed your stuff, said bye to your friend, and walked straight to the Great Hall. And there he was, of course, sitting down in front of Hermione and Harry, stuffing his face with whatever he was eating. He didn’t notice you walking towards him or he would’ve probably ran off, given the way he had been behaving all day.

- “Ron.” You said sitting down next to him. “Are we still hanging out later?”

-“ Umm I- I don’t know, I have to… help Harry… with… something”.

- “What’s up with you today?” You asked.

- “Nothing”.

…

- “I can’t read your mind Ron. If something’s going on, you have to talk”.

Your tone was getting firm, not aggressive, but almost.

-“ Nothing’s going on”.

His tone was quieter than usual, and you couldn’t quite read his face.

- “Are we hanging out later, yes or no?”

…

- “Yes.”

- “Are you sure?”

- “Yes, I’ll find you”.

You were trying really hard to keep it together, but, come on, it’s Ron, he could read your face even if he was blind.

- “I promise”. He reassured you, giving your hand a squeeze.

- “Alright then,” It’s all you managed to answer . “bye guys”.

“Bye” they said.

-“What’s up with that?” Harry asked.

- “I don’t know. I think I messed up” Ron said.

-“You think?!” Hermione asked. “You barely even looked at her”.

-“Yeah Ron, you’re lucky she even likes you,” Harry added. “she’s a Slytherin, she hates everyone”. He scoffed.

-“Oh then I’ve really messed up”.

The hours until you were supposed to meet felt like an eternity, and what did he mean by “I’ll find you”, where should he find you? how would he know where you were? Anyway, that’s for him to worry about, your only job is to wait for him to show up, if he shows up. You hoped he did.

You left your dorm to take a walk before your mind started racing with thousands of possible scenarios. After a few minutes, you sat down on a bench in the courtyard, near a big tree, with chains of leaves so long it made it the perfect spot to cover from the sun, and the eyes of everyone else, it’s where you and Ron kissed for the first time.

Guess finding you wasn’t hard at all, because after a few minutes there he was, approaching you with his hands behind his back, he seemed… regretful, sad, hurt even.

But so were you, so you stood still instead of running towards him like you’d usually do, waiting for him to reach you.

And then he finally did.

-“Hi” He broke the silence. “I didn’t think you’d want to see me”.

-“I wasn’t sure I should”. Your tongue was sharp.

-“I’m sorry. I know I’ve been a dick”.

-“Yeah, you have”.

-“Glad were on the same page” He scoffed.

And you laughed, he always knew how to get you.

-“These are for you” He said, showing a little bouquet of flowers he had behind his back. “I asked Neville what the best I’m-sorry-I’ve-been-a-dick flowers were, and he said I could find them near Hagrid’s hut, they’re pink roses and white tulips. They smell like that perfume of yours I really like”.

He really knew how to get you.

Your gaze softened and he could feel his heart clench, the last thing he ever wanted to do was hurt you.

-“You were mean today. I didn’t like that.”

-“I’m sorry, I was being stupid, I- I saw you with another guy and it just made me feel so stupid, jealous, and I’m aware how immature and stupid of me that is, I’m also aware of how much I use the word stupid and that just makes me feel more stupid… Y/N I never meant to hurt you, I just didn’t know how to react, I’ve never felt like that before”.

-“You could’ve talked to me, Ron. Not ignore me”.

Your tone was soft but the pain in your voice was loud, so loud it broke his heart.

-“I know, I should’ve” He said taking a step closer to you. “Y/N I’m in love with you, and that scares me, and when I saw you with him, I just, I was afraid”.

-“I still don’t get it, who are you talking about?”.

-“Who am I to-? The Slytherin guy!”.

-“…Oskar?”. You said, holding in your laughter.

He gave you a puzzled look, why did it look like you wanted to laugh?

-“Oh Ron, he’s not like that” You took a step forward.

-“Like what? All guys are like that, trust me, I’m a guy”.

-“No Ron, he’s really not like that”.

-“What do you mean?”.

-“I can’t just say it, you need to read between the lines. But trust me when I say that he would never fancy me, like, ever”.

He gave you an even more puzzled look.

-“How could he not? Look at you”.

-“No Ron, not me, and not any other girl”. You took another step forward, reaching your hand to his.

-“OH!.. Oh, now I feel even more stupid”.

You couldn’t hold in your laughter anymore.

-“You should, that was really stupid”. You howled embracing him.

-“Aww stop it, how was I supposed to know?”. He said, hiding his sheepish red face in the crook of your neck.

-“You know, we felt a really intense stare all day, mainly him. Any idea who could’ve been?” You teased.

-“It was probably me, sorry”.

Your laugh filled up the place, and, as embarrassed as he was, he was glad you weren’t mad at him anymore.

-“So… you forgive me?”.

-“Yes, but don’t ever do that again”.

-“I promise”.

You stayed like that, embracing each other in silence, happy everything was resolved.

Until he broke the silence, again.

-“Are you going to tell him about this..?”

-“Yes! And he’s going to laugh harder that I did”.

-“Oh no”. He whined, hiding in your neck again.

The End.

I’ve noticed there aren’t many fluff stories about Ron on here, so I made this little blurb. There are some on ao3 but it intimidates me too much to post anything there so Tumblr shall have it.

Apologies for any grammar mistakes, its 5 am and I was decided on finishing it today.

Also, Y/N wouldn’t explicitly say her friend’s sexuality so as not to out him, but trusts Ron enough to give him an idea about it.

The campus was alive with the buzz of the annual Spring Festival. The central courtyard adorned and decorated to welcome the students browsing through the booths offering everything from handmade crafts to a wide variety of food and drinks.

Music drifted from the stage, where local bands competed for the crowd’s attention.

Y/N navigated the busy scene with her friends, making their way through the flood of people, her eyes scanning the area for anything interesting. The festival was a welcome break from the stress of exams, and she was looking forward to enjoying the evening. She stopped at a booth selling handmade jewelry, her attention caught by a pair of earrings when a familiar voice floated over the noise of the crowd.

“Hey, you should totally try the fried chicken tenders over there!”

She turned, the voice sparking a memory she couldn’t quite place. As she looked around, her gaze landed on a tall, smiling figure leaning casually against a booth, his eyes lit up with the same mischievous glint she remembered from years ago.

Hamzah.

Y/N’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t seen him since middle school, and yet here he was, just a few feet away, looking both familiar and completely different at the same time. His face had matured, but the playful smile and big brown eyes were unmistakable.

Gathering her courage, Y/N stepped forward. “Hamzah?” she called out, her voice a mix of surprise and excitement.

He turned towards her, his expression shifting from curiosity to recognition in an instant. “Y/N? Wow, it’s been ages!” His face broke into a wide grin as he walked over, his arms open for a hug.

She laughed, returning the embrace. “I can’t believe it’s you! What are the odds of running into each other here?”

“It’s crazy, right?” Hamzah said, pulling back to look at her. “I had no idea you were at this school. What have you been up to?”

They found a quieter spot near the edge of the courtyard, away from the loud music and bustling crowds. As they caught up, the years apart seemed to melt away. Y/N told him about her major, her new friends, and the ups and downs of college life. Hamzah shared stories of his classes, his roommate, and updates on his family.

“I can’t believe we’ve both been here this whole time and never ran into each other,” Y/N said, shaking her head in disbelief.

“Maybe we were meant to find each other now,” Hamzah replied, his eyes meeting hers with a sincerity that made her heart flutter.

“After all those years” she said, memories sparkling in her mind.

“I suppose it was fate that brought us back together” Hamzah said with a smile.

“Maybe,” Y/N replied, feeling a warmth spread through her chest.

And just like that, the once inseparable duo were back together again.

Hanging out in each other’s dorms, going to parties, meeting their friends, studying together, opening up to each other, trusting each other with everything and anything, just like when they were kids.

Time felt to melt away around them, it seemed like it was never enough, no matter how much time they spent together, they always had more things to talk about.

Months went by and just like that, fall midterms were right around the corner. Hamzah was stressed, being an IT major was not easy, and lately it’s all he talked about.

The library was packed with anxious students revising for their exams, but still, quiet, all you could hear were faint chatters and clicky keyboards.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me, I try to study but it’s like, no matter how hard I try, I don’t feel ready.”

“Hamzah, I think you need a break, you’ve been here all day”

“I don’t need a break, I need a miracle-”

Y/N yawned, interrupting him. “And I need to go to sleep, it’s getting late” She said, getting up her seat and grabbing her bag.

“Do you want me to walk you to your dorm?” Hamzah asked, getting up his seat as well.

“Nah, you should walk to yours though. Seriously, get some rest, you’ll be fine.”

“It’s tomorrow, I don’t know if-“ He felt a hand patting his shoulder. “You’ll be fine. Trust me.”

“How do you know?” You could hear the uncertainty in his voice.

“Because you’ll have this” She said, pulling a dark blue bracelet from her bag.

“What’s that?”

“A lucky bracelet.” A proud grin in her face. “Here.”

As Hamzah took it, his mind wandered to the past, “Aww just like the ones you used to make me when we were kids”. He smiled.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever”. She tried to brush it off. “Come on, grab your things. Let’s get outta here.”

While gathering his stuff, another memory sparked in his head; An old lunchbox under his bed where he kept old trinkets from his childhood.

“I still have them, you know?” He confessed.

Her eyes lit up. “Really?”.

“Yeah, all of them.” His tone soft.

Warmth spread though Y/N’s chest. He kept them. She felt her cheeks turning red, so she quickly thought of something to focus the attention back to him.

“Well, I still have that card you gave me in valentines day.” She teased as they made their way out the library.

Hamzah’s eye widened as he remembered the card, he immediately wrinkled his nose and closed his eyes. Covering them with his hand in an attempt to hide his embarrassment.

“…Love Bugs”

Y/N clapped her hands together as she laughed. “Look at you. You got all red.”

“Stoppp” he playfully pushed her.

“How did you come up with it?” still laughing. “I gotta say, using your feet to make the shape of a bug was pretty creative”. Teasingly returning the push.

“I googled ‘Valentines day cards’ and it popped out” A hearty laugh burst from his lips.

It was moments like these that transported them back in time.

They were still those 5th graders at heart.

After accompanying Y/N to her dorm, Hamzah’s walk to his was a blur. He was still in the moment, so much he didn’t realize there was a huge smile in his face as he went inside his shared dorm.

“Look at you, who where you with?” His roommate, Martin, teased, pulling him back to reality.

“No one. Just Y/N.” He said, trying to sound unfazed.

“Y/N? Man just ask her out already”

“What? No, we’re just… friends.”

“Sure buddy” A grin in Martin’s face.

“Wdym?? Dude, we’ve been friends forever. I can’t ask her out” It wasn’t clear if he wanted to convince Martin he only saw her as a friend, or himself.

“It’s so obvious you both like each other. Even her friends can see it.”

“What friends? And, see what?” a puzzled look in his face.

“I was hanging out with Mandy, her roommate, and she said she mentioned how you two would make a good couple to Y/N, and immediately she jumped and asked if you had said something about it”.

“That doesn’t prove anything,” He said pacing around the room looking for a pair of clean socks. “Plus, you only say that cause you like Mandy and me dating Y/N would help you, and dude, this place is a mess I can’t find anything here.”

“Um, fyi, Mandy DOES like me, no thanks to you, and,” He tossed Hamzah a pair of socks. “We’re not the only ones that think that, ask literally anyone, WE ALL KNOW.”

“Whatever man.”

That night it was extra hard for Hamzah to sleep, between worrying about his big exam tomorrow and the thought that Y/N might like him. His head was a mess.

And he wasn’t the only one. Y/N ‘s friends kept teasing her about him too, begging her to make a move.

It seemed like everyone around them knew, everyone but them.

The morning after Hamzah woke up to a text from Y/N; “Good luck on your exam! You’ll do great”, reading that placed a huge smile on his face, it’s weird, he never smiles this much when texting anyone else. Whatever, she’s just a friend. A really good friend.

During his exam, he couldn’t stop fidgeting with the bracelet Y/N gave her last night, it felt like the touch of it was enough to ease his mind, it helped him focus.

Once he was done, he handed it to his teacher, who skimmed through it and looked at him with a genuine smile “Good Job.” Those two words were enough to send Hamzah running out that classroom straight to the cafeteria, where he knew Y/N would be.

“Y/N!,” he shouted when he saw her, “it worked!!”

“What worked?” She was confused, but he seemed happy, so she was happy.

“The- the bracelet!” he said catching his breath.

“Calm down” She said placing her hands on his arms, signaling him to breathe. “So it went well?”

“Well?? It went great!- Oh Y/N I’m so happy I could kiss you!”

He froze as he realized what he’d just blurted out.

“Sorry- I mean- I- If you-“ His apology was cut short as he felt Y/N move closer to him, his arms wrapping around her body, her face inches away from his. Their eyes locked, the intensity of her gaze making him feel as she could read his every thought.

The world around them went quiet as they closed the distance between them with a kiss. It was soft yet passionate, a perfect blend of familiarity and newness. Her hands slid to the back of his head, caressing his curls. His arms tighten around her waist, the moment so surreal he feared it might slip away.

Hamzah broke the kiss with a chuckle, slowly pulling away.

“What?” Y/N asked, a smile playing on her lips.

“You still wear strawberry lip balm.” He teased.

Y/N remembered the first day she met Hamzah like it was yesterday. It was the start of fourth grade, and the classroom buzzed with joy as everyone settled into their new desks. Y/N had just moved to town and didn’t know anyone yet. She felt a mix of nerves and excitement as she walked into the classroom, clutching her backpack tightly.

That’s when she saw him—a curly haired boy with big, brown eyes and a contagious smile. He was sitting at the back of the class, doodling on his notebook. As Y/N walked past, he looked up and grinned.

“Hi, I’m Hamzah,” he said, his voice cheerful and inviting. “Do you want to sit here?”

Y/N nodded, relieved to have found a friendly face. “I’m Y/N,” she replied, taking the seat next to him. “I just moved here.”

From that moment on, Y/N and Hamzah were inseparable. They spent their recesses playing on the swings, chasing each other around the playground, and sharing stories about their families and favorite cartoons. Y/N loved how easy it was to talk to Hamzah, how he always made her laugh and listened to her every word.

As the school year went on, their bond only grew stronger. They became known as the best of friends, always seen together in the hallways, at lunchtime, and on the bus ride home. They even had a secret handshake that only they knew, and matching lucky bracelets that Y/N made them as a symbol of their special friendship.

By the time fifth grade rolled around, Y/N and Hamzah’s friendship had blossomed into something more. They didn’t talk about it openly, but they both felt it—a silent connection that made their time together even more special.

One sunny afternoon, as they sat on their favorite swing set during recess, Hamzah turned to Y/N with a thoughtful expression.

“Do you ever think about what it would be like to have a first kiss?” he asked, his cheeks turning pink.

Y/N felt her heart flutter. She had thought about it, of course, but she never imagined having this conversation with Hamzah. “Yeah, sometimes,” she admitted, looking down at her hands.

Hamzah hesitated for a moment before continuing. “Do you think… maybe we could try it? Just to see what it’s like?”

Y/N’s heart raced as she nodded, her stomach a swirl of butterflies. “Okay,” she whispered.

They leaned in slowly, their faces inches apart, “I’m nervous” the boy admitted, “Close your eyes”, Y/N hoping to ease his worry, and then, with a mix of excitement and nervousness, they shared their first kiss. It was a quick, innocent peck, but it felt like the most magical moment in the world. When they pulled away, they both burst into giggles, their cheeks flushed with happiness.

“What’s that?,” Hamzah said, licking his lips.

“Oh, it’s my strawberry shortcake lip balm. 😊”

As they continued to swing together, they both knew that their friendship had turned into something special. Something sweet.

After that, their days were filled with numerous playdates at each other’s houses, teaming up for every group project they had in class, making little gifts for the other, (like valentines day cards ;) ), holding hands in the hallways, chatting on skype for hours after school, etc.

But eventually, they grew up. They weren’t interested in running around catching bugs in the playground anymore. They both made new friends and moved on, still talking occasionally, until Y/N moved schools in middle school.

Since then, they never saw each other again.

—————————————————————

Hamzah always talks about his 5th grade relationships so I thought it would be fun to write about it. Also, I re-found this Taylor Swift song I used to love as a kid and it fits perfectly with the story!!! (I think)

Every new thing Hamzah learned about you, was just another reason why he liked you. It was scary, he was experiencing so many feelings in such a short amount of time. It was the first time someone had swept him off his feet, but you brought him so much peace that focusing on anything other than the way his chest felt everytime he thought about you was pointless. Time was relative.

On Thursday, as you were finishing a long day at work, your phone rang. It was Hamzah. His voice alone was enough to calm you.

"Hey y/n, how was work?" he asked.

"Hi... ugh, it was rough. I'm exhausted, but it was good. I like staying busy, you know? I never run out of things to do."

"Haha, I don't know how you do it, but I'm glad you enjoy your job. You should get some rest though; you'll need it for tomorrow..."

You could hear the smile in his voice, hinting that he had something planned.

"Tomorrow? What's happening tomorrow?"

"...Our big date!! If you're free... Are you free for dinner tomorrow? I found this place I think you'd really like."

Your heart started racing. It was finally happening. Initially, you had doubts, but Hamzah had given you the time and space to get to know him, and you appreciated that. He was patient and understanding, passionate about his job, and struck a perfect balance between fun and serious. Though you hadn't known each other for long, you trusted him enough to say yes.

"Yeah," you said with a big smile—the same one he always complimented you on. You had once confided in him about your insecurity growing up, and he had made it a point to always appreciate it. "Where are we going?"

"Well, you're always talking about jazz, so I asked around and found this 'invitation-only jazz club'... and I managed to get us invites!"

"Oh... Wow! I see being an influencer has its perks. I've always wanted to go to a place like that."

"Haha, I knew you'd like it. Meet you at 7?"

"You know me well. Yeah, text me the address and I'll meet you there."

"Great. See you tomorrow then."

"See ya!"

The date was set.

Saying you were excited was an understatement; you had always dreamed of meeting someone who wasn't afraid to show genuine interest in you, someone who listened and cared deeply about your feelings. It felt surreal. Sometimes, you thought about the "random" ways the universe worked—what were the chances of Hamzah walking into THAT coffee shop on THAT particular day and time? If not for that serendipitous moment, your paths might never have crossed, and your life wouldn't be this nice.

As soon as you got home, you couldn't wait to share the news with Anna, your roommate and best friend. Her eyes lit up with happiness for you. “It’s good seeing you like this y/n, it was time you finally met a nice guy,” You could see it in her eyes, she meant that. “Do you know what you’re wearing yet?. “I have a few ideas” You said.

The excitement was mutual, as soon as you hung up Hamzah texted Martin. “GUESS WHO HAS A DATE TOMORROW!!!!” He had gotten a haircut the day before to make sure it looked nice by Friday, and already had an outfit in mind, he had planned on picking you up with some flowers, him walking up to your door and surprising you with them, giving you a big hug and smelling your perfume. But you told him you’d meet him there instead, so he had to come up with a new plan to fantasize about.  

FRIDAY

The time leading to the date seemed like an eternity, work was slower than usual, everything was quiet, except for the incessant ticking of the big clock on the cold, white wall in front of you. Across the room, your coworker in her fifties, mindlessly scrolling on facebook on her phone, the screen glaring brightly as she burst into laughter at every funny post. You and Anna had joked about her contagious, "funnier-than-the-joke" laugh just last night.

Hamzah would text you every once in a while throughout the day, and you’d reply trying not to show your excitement, but you were giggling all day long, your mind kept drifting away from your tasks to the infinite possibilities of what could happen tonight, what he’d wear, how he’d react to what you’d be wearing, would the food be good? Would you guys dance? Or just talk and enjoy the music in the background. You kept trying not to get your hopes too high up, in case anything went wrong, what if he canceled last minute?What if–Stop overthinking- You told yourself, -Let’s find something else to do instead-. Hamzah had awaken a lot of feelings within you, most of them sweet and cheesy, but you had found yourself feeling more self-conscious than usual at times, not because of him. First dates are always nerve wracking.

Finally, the workday came to an end. You packed up your things, said your goodbyes, and headed out to the parking lot. Unlocking your car, you climbed in and took a deep breath. As you turn the engine on, you noticed a weird sound, but chose to ignore it. The drive home was filled with a mix of nervous excitement and cautious optimism.

Arriving at your apartment, you hurried inside. You kicked off your shoes and headed straight for the kitchen, were Anna was already heating up lunch for the two of you, she gets off work earlier than you, and she loves cooking, something you were very grateful for. As you both ate your meals, you checked your phone again—another text from Hamzah.

"Hey, are you getting excited? I can't wait to see you tonight 😊"

You smiled at his message, feeling a rush of warmth. Quickly composing yourself, you replied, "Definitely excited! Looking forward to it 😄"

Anna noticed your distracted state and teased, "Someone's got a big date tonight, huh?"

You chuckled nervously. "Yeah, it's just... I really hope it goes well."

Anna grinned knowingly. "It will. Hamzah seems like a great guy. Relax and enjoy yourself."

Over lunch, you shared the latest updates with Anna, including Hamzah's thoughtful messages throughout the day. After eating, you took an “everything shower” and went to your room to decide on an outfit for the evening.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of multiple outfit changes and fleeting thoughts about the evening ahead. After a few moments of deliberation, you settled on a black backless dress, heels and you hair in a messy but stylish bun.

With a final glance in the mirror, you grabbed your purse and phone, checking for any last-minute messages. There it was—a text from Hamzah.

"Heyy, I'm almost there! Can't wait to see you. I'll be by the entrance."

Your heart skipped a beat as you read his message. Taking a deep breath to calm your nerves, you replied, "On my way! See you soon 😊"

You headed out the door, the cool evening air adding to the anticipation building within you. As you got into you car, you could feel something was off, you tried to turn it on but it wasn’t working –Shit.- You quickly grabbed your phone again and ordered an uber, luckily there was one just a couple blocks away from you.

After a few minutes, you were finally there. You got off the car, spotting Hamzah waiting just as he described, wearing the cutest glasses, your nerves eased. His smile widened as he saw you approaching, and you couldn't help but smile back.

"Hey," he greeted warmly, reaching out to give you a gentle hug. "You look amazing."

"Thank you," you replied, feeling a flush of happiness. "So do you."

“I wanted to get you an actual bouquet,” He says, revealing a red rose he was hiding behind his back. “But I thought it would get in the way when we started dancing. I’ll get you one for next time though.”

“We’re dancing?!” You said with a huuuugeee smile, “God I love your smile-OF COURSE we’re dancing! I didn’t look up ‘How to dance to jazz tutorials’ for nothing”.

“Thanks, really” It’s all you managed to say, staring into his eyes, the night had just started and it was already everything you’d dream of. “Come on, let’s go inside” He said as he wraped his arm around you and led you in.

As you entered the jazz club together, the soft strains of music enveloped you. The ambiance was cozy, with dim lighting casting a warm glow over the intimate tables. Hamzah led you to a table near the stage, where you settled in comfortably. The air was filled with the sweet aroma of good food and the gentle hum of conversations.

The evening unfolded beautifully as you and Hamzah delved into meaningful conversations, sharing stories and discovering mutual interests. You told him about you car breaking down and he offered you a ride back home. He was attentive and sweet, making you feel at ease with his genuine charm and personality.

Dinner arrived—a delicious spread of gourmet dishes that delighted your taste buds. Between bites and sips of wine, laughter bubbled up naturally between you, punctuated by moments of shared glances, soft innocent touches and smiles that spoke volumes.

As the music shifted to a soulful jazz melody, ‘Just the Two of Us’ ;) Hamzah stood up, extending his hand to you with a playful grin. "Care for a dance?"

Your heart skipped a beat at his invitation. You placed your hand in his, feeling the warmth of his touch as he led you to the small dance floor beside the stage. In the soft glow of the club lights, you swayed together to the rhythm of the music, feeling the subtle electricity between you.

For a few blissful moments, the world outside faded away as you immersed yourself in the magic of the night. Hamzah's movements were graceful yet assured, his hand on your waist guiding you across the floor. Your hand in his and your foreheads touching. You couldn't help but admire how his eyes sparkled with genuine happiness, mirroring your own.

As you moved together in sync with the music, the distance between you seemed to dissolve. Each step was a testament to the growing bond between you, a silent promise of more moments like this to come. The rhythm of the jazz, the soft glow of the club lights, and the subtle scent of his cologne enveloped you in a cocoon of intimacy.

In the quiet pauses between songs, he leaned in close, his breath warm against your ear. "You're an amazing dancer," he murmured, his voice filled with admiration.

You smiled, feeling a rush of warmth at his words. "You're not so bad yourself," you teased softly, the playful banter adding to the lightness of the occasion.

As the music continued, you found yourself lost in the dance, savoring each fleeting second as if trying to capture the essence of this perfect evening. The world outside seemed distant and insignificant compared to the connection you shared in that moment.

Eventually, the song ended, as you returned to your table, hand in hand, the evening continued with a renewed sense of closeness and connection. The jazz club buzzed with life around you, yet it felt like the two of you were in your own little world, cocooned in the warmth of newfound companionship.

As the night came to an end, and the jazz club began to empty, y/n and Hamzah stepped out into the crisp night air, their breath visible in the glow of city lights. The date had been enchanting, filled with laughter, shared stories, and a dance that seemed to suspend time itself.

As they walked towards Hamzah's car, y/n's thoughts flickered back to the Uber ride that had brought her here. She had enjoyed the evening and was grateful for Hamzah's company. The offer of a ride home from him now felt like a continuation of his thoughtfulness.

Reaching the car, Hamzah unlocked the door and held it open for y/n with a gallant gesture. She smiled appreciatively, settling into the passenger seat. The warmth of the car enveloped them both as Hamzah started the engine, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them.

"I hope you enjoyed tonight," Hamzah said, glancing over at y/n with a gentle smile.

"I did," y/n replied softly, her gaze meeting his. "Thank you for inviting me and for the ride home."

"My pleasure," Hamzah replied warmly, his eyes reflecting the streetlights as they drove through the quiet night. "I'm glad we had this time together."

As they navigated through the familiar streets towards y/n's apartment, conversation flowed between them. They discussed their favorite jazz tunes from the night, shared funny anecdotes, and delved into deeper topics that revealed more about their passions and dreams.

The drive seemed to pass in a blur, the connection between y/n and Hamzah growing stronger with each passing minute. By the time they arrived at y/n's apartment building, she couldn't help but feel a sense of reluctance to say goodbye.

"Here we are," he said softly, pulling up to the curb outside y/n's building. He turned off the engine and turned to face her, his expression earnest. Hamzah hesitated for a moment, stepping out, he hurried around to y/n's side and opened the door for her, offering his hand to help her out. She accepted, feeling a flutter of warmth at his gesture.

"Thank you," y/n said softly as she stood beside him, their eyes meeting in the dim glow of the streetlights.

"You're welcome," Hamzah replied, his voice gentle. "Let me walk you to your door."

Together, they walked towards the entrance of the apartment building, the night air cool around them. The silence between them now felt comfortable, filled with a shared understanding and the promise of more to come.

As they reached y/n's door, she turned to face Hamzah with a smile. Him looking at her as if contemplating his next words. "Thank you again for tonight. I really enjoyed your company."

"Me too," y/n replied sincerely, moving closer to him, a warm smile gracing her lips. "I had a great time."

"Would you like to do this again sometime?” He said, his hand gracing hers.

Y/n felt a rush of excitement at his suggestion. "I would love that," she answered.

"Great," Hamzah said with a smile, relief evident in his voice.

Their closeness drew them together naturally, and suddenly, y/n found herself wrapped in Hamzah's embrace. Her arms were around his neck, fingers gently caressing the curls at the back of his head. His arms encircled her waist, drawing her in as she rested her head against his chest. The intimacy of the moment enveloped them both, a silent acknowledgment of the connection they had forged over the course of the evening.

“Y/n?” Hamzah murmured softly.

“Yeah?” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Can I kiss you?”

Their hearts raced in unison, the anticipation palpable between them. Y/n lifted her head, meeting Hamzah's gaze with unwavering certainty. Their noses brushed against each other's, their breath mingling in the quiet space between them. And then, without hesitation, Hamzah closed the distance between them, his lips meeting hers in a tender kiss.

Time seemed to stand still as they shared this intimate moment, the world outside fading away. The kiss was gentle yet filled with passion, a culmination of the emotions they had both been feeling throughout the night.

As they pulled back slightly, their foreheads resting together, y/n couldn't help but smile. It felt right, being in Hamzah's arms, their hearts beating as one.

Hamzah brushed a strand of hair away from y/n's face, his touch tender. “I'm glad I met you, y/n.”

"Me too," y/n replied softly, her fingers tracing the line of Hamzah's jaw. "I'm really glad."

They stood there for a moment longer, savoring the closeness and the newfound connection between them. In that quiet moment, they both knew that tonight had been more than just a date—it had been the beginning of something beautiful.

He got into his car, and as he turned it on the radio went off, "Good evening, Toronto! I'm Stevie, your host for tonight, and you're tuned in to Jazz.fm. Get ready to unwind with a timeless favorite, 'Just The Two Of Us' by the one and only Grover Washington Jr. Sit back, relax, and let the music take you on a journey through the night." And just like that he was thinking of excuses to go back and talk to you. –I could pretend I forgot something…  but maybe she’s already gone… I could go back tomorrow and be like ‘Oh I just LOVEEE the coffee here’… hundreds of people go there everyday she won’t even remember me… Why am I even thinking this much about her? She’s just a barista. I don’t even know her. Fuck. I want to know her. This seems like something I should journal about- The drive back home was short, it’s surprising how time works when you’re hyperfocused on something, he was in that coffee shop all afternoon, and even after it closed, but it still wasn’t enough.

Once he was finally home he started to unpack his backpack… “Shit, I did actually forget something. Guess I’m going back tomorrow”.

Next morning

MONDAY

It’s 8:45 am, Hamzah is getting out of the shower and is starting to get ready for the day. He checks his phone and, according to google, the café is about to open, he’s already changed his outfit twice, and ended up settling on a purple hoodie, jeans and a gray hat, something casual whilst still trying to look nice, he even put on cologne. His plan is to run some errands, swing by the coffee shop to retrieve his notebook, and who knows, maybe run into the cute girl he hasn’t stopped thinking about. Oh, and, since he’s already in the area, he’s also meeting Martin for lunch downtown after that.

Once he finishes having breakfast, Hamzah checks his appearance one last time in the mirror, adjusting the tilt of his hat and smoothing down the sleeves of his hoodie. He feels a nervous excitement bubbling inside him as he heads out the door.

As he runs his errands  throughout the morning, his mind keeps drifting back to the coffee shop and the barista. He finds himself taking longer than usual at each stop, mentally rehearsing what he might say if he sees her again. At the hardware store, he absentmindedly compares different shades of paint for his new apartment, thinking about whether she would prefer a cozy warm tone or something brighter.

While picking up groceries, he debates whether to buy something special from the bakery section of the supermarket, just in case he gets the chance to share it with her. Each item he picks up reminds him of their brief encounter—the smell of fresh-baked bread brings back memories of the coffee shop, and he can almost taste the cappuccino and chocolate donut he had the day before.

By the time he finishes his errands, he realizes it's almost time to swing by the coffee shop. He checks his phone nervously, wondering if she'll be there today. His heart races with anticipation as he imagines walking in and seeing her smile again.

He gets on his car and drives, as he reaches the familiar corner where the coffee shop stands, he notices a few early risers already seated outside, sipping their morning brew. Hamzah's heart skips a beat as he pushes open the door, the soft jingle announcing his arrival.

Inside, the familiar aroma of freshly brewed coffee envelops him, mingling with the soft chatter of other customers. Hamzah spots the counter where he had talked to the barista yesterday, but to his disappointment, she's not there. He tries to hide his frown, reminding himself that she might be in the back or arriving later.

Approaching the counter, He asks the barista on duty about his lost notebook. The young woman, not the one he hoped to see, smiles politely and checks behind the counter. After a brief search, she returns empty-handed, apologizing that she doesn't see any notebooks left behind. Just as Hamzah was turning around to leave, relief washed over him as Ethan, the familiar barista from the previous evening, entered the frame holding his black hardcover notebook. "Wait. Is this your notebook?" Ethan asked, handing it over. "The barista working last night told me you might come back for it."

Hamzah's face lit up again. "Thanks! Is she around? I'd like to thank her."

Ethan's expression shifted slightly. "No, she's not here today, but I'll pass on the message that you got it back."

Hamzah pressed further, his eagerness evident. "Do you know when she'll be here? Maybe tomorrow?"

Ethan hesitated, sensing Hamzah's persistence. "She's not coming tomorrow either."

"Well, when is she working next?" Hamzah asked, oblivious to Ethan's growing discomfort.

"Look man," Ethan began, trying to keep his tone friendly yet firm, "I can't give out that information. I'm sure you mean well, but I can't help you."

Hamzah finally caught on, feeling embarrassed. "Sorry, I just... I had a nice chat with her last night, and I forgot to ask for her name. I didn't mean to be weird or anything."

Ethan nodded understandingly. "I get it, but you'll have to swing by some other time if you want to see her again."

"Thanks, and sorry again," Hamzah said, realizing he had crossed a boundary. With a nod of farewell, he left the coffee shop, feeling disappointed yet understanding of Ethan's position.

After leaving the coffee shop, Hamzah made his way downtown to meet Martin for lunch. As he walked through the bustling streets of Toronto, his mind wandered back to his brief visit to the coffee shop and the disappointment of not seeing the barista again. He replayed the conversation with Ethan in his head, wondering when he might have another opportunity to return.

Arriving at their favorite lunch spot, Hamzah spotted Martin already seated at a corner table, waving enthusiastically as he approached. The restaurant buzzed with the hum of conversations and clinking of cutlery, creating a lively atmosphere that contrasted with the quiet of the coffee shop.

"Hey man, you made it!" Martin greeted him with a grin, gesturing for Hamzah to take a seat. "What's up? You seem a bit distracted."

Hamzah slid into the chair opposite Martin, trying to shake off his thoughts about the barista. "Yeah, just had a morning errand to run," he replied vaguely, not wanting to burden Martin with his romantic musings just yet.

Martin raised an eyebrow teasingly. "Morning errand, huh? Anything exciting happen?"

Hamzah chuckled nervously, deciding to share a toned-down version of his coffee shop visit. "Not really, just went to pick up something I left behind yesterday."

Martin leaned in curiously. "Oh? What did you forget?"

"My notebook," Hamzah explained briefly. "I left it at this new coffee shop I checked out yesterday. The barista there... she was really nice."

Martin's eyes lit up with interest. "Ah, I see where this is going. Did you get her number?"

Hamzah sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Nah, I didn't even get her name. And when I went back today, she wasn't there."

Martin frowned sympathetically. "Bummer, man. But hey, maybe it's fate. You'll probably run into her again."

"Yeah, maybe," Hamzah agreed half-heartedly. "Anyway, how's your day been so far?"

The conversation drifted to lighter topics as they ordered their lunch and caught up on each other's lives. Martin shared updates about his work projects, and Hamzah talked about his plans for the podcast and the ongoing move. Despite his disappointment from earlier, being with Martin helped to lighten his mood.

As they finished their meal and paid the bill, Hamzah felt a renewed sense of determination. He knew he would visit the coffee shop again, notebook or no notebook, in the hope of seeing the barista once more. Maybe next time, he thought to himself, he would remember to ask for her name.

Your Pov:

MONDAY

It’s 6:00 in the morning, you’ve just woken up, you’re mustering up the strenght to get out of bed and start getting ready for work. You play your favorite playlist and get dressed, still tired from getting home later than usual last night, but hanging around that cute guy made it a bit worth it. As you make breakfast, you hear a familiar tune

-I see the crystal raindrops fall And the beauty of it all Is when the sun comes shining through To make those rainbows in my mind When I think of you sometime And I wanna spend some time with you-

Suddendly you’re dancing around your kitchen, having one of those “Ah, this is the life” moments, realizing it would be much more exciting if there was someone dancing and singing next to you, but you can’t let those thoughts haunt you for long, the day has just begun. You check yourself in the mirror before heading out the door, you get in your car and it makes that same weird sound it’s been making for the past week, “Mhm, I’m sure it’s nothing” you say, brushing it off, and off you go.

At around 11 am you get a text from Ethan, “Hey, the guy from last night came by to pick up his notebook. He kept asking about you”. “What did he say?” You texted back.

“Not much, he wanted to know your name, and was pretty insistent on when he could see you again to “thank you”  👀 a bit weird”.

“Ohhh u should’ve told him, he was cute lol”

“haha I’m sure he’ll come back”.

You put your phone down and continued doing your work, you thought thinking about him throughout the day was too much, but it seemed like his interest was more than a simple “thank you”. Like there was some unfinished busssiness between the both of you.  As you went about your tasks, the memory of his earnest inquiries lingered in the back of your mind. You couldn't help but wonder what he was like beyond that brief interaction—what his name was, what he did when he wasn't at the coffee shop, and why he seemed so eager to see you again.

Despite trying to push the thoughts aside, you found yourself checking your phone a little too often, half-expecting another message from Ethan with an update. Each time, you told yourself to focus on your work, but the anticipation was undeniable.

As the day progressed, you couldn't shake the feeling that his visit had left a mark. It wasn't just about retrieving a forgotten notebook anymore; there seemed to be an unspoken connection, a curiosity that went beyond politeness. Maybe he would come back, you mused, imagining the possibility of seeing him again. You’ve never been more excited to clock in at work on a weekend.

WEDNESDAY

It’s been three days since your last (and only) encounter. Hamzah is out for a run, “Bags” by Clairo’s playing on his AirPods—‘Can you see me? I’m waiting for the right time. I can’t read you but if you want the pleasure is all mine’—he hums along, remembering a clip of a genius interview where Clairo explained the meaning behind the song, how when you have a crush on someone, every minute you’re not spending with them feels like a waste of time, and, inevitably, he was thinking about you again.

This whole infatuation feels a bit ridiculous to Hamzah, but no one had taken his interest like that before, plus he had already embarrassed himself to you coworker, he was already in too deep to not see where going down this road would lead him. He felt an unexplainable attraction towards a complete stranger, like there was a rope in his chest pulling him to you, to that coffee shop, and before he realized it, he was there again, it was like he was running on autopilot and his subconcsious had taken him there, I mean, he was planning on paying a visit today, but not now; he hadn’t thought about what he would say if you we’re there, but he couldn’t stop himself from walking in.

He approached the counter, skimming through the menu, his order was still as basic as before, but this time he got an oatmeal and green apple cookie instead of a chocolate donut. “Is this to go? Or to eat here?” The cashier asked as he turned his head to face him “Hey! It’s you again”.

“Heeeyyy, I’m back” Hamzah  shyly replied, “Umm, to go, please”.  

“Yeah, I figured. She’s not here btw, but she said you were good, come back on Saturday”.

Hamzah’s eyes widen, a smile creeping into his lips, he tries to play it cool but the excitement in his voice was evident. “She said that? She’ll be here?”.

“Yeah haha, here you go” Ethan replied with a smile.

“Thanks! Guess I’ll see you in a few days, um… Ethan,” He said pointing to the nametag hanging on the cashier’s black apron, “I’m Hamzah” He continued, reaching out for  handshake.

“Yeah, see you.” Ethan says, shaking his hand back.

Hamzah left the coffee shop with a newfound sense of anticipation for Saturday. The thought of seeing you again lingered in his mind as he drove home. He couldn’t help but replay the brief interactions and your smile, which seemed to brighten the entire coffee shop.

As the week progressed, Hamzah found himself constantly thinking about Saturday. He went about his usual routines, working on his podcast episodes, filming with Martin and settling into his new apartment, but your image kept creeping into his thoughts. He wondered what Saturday would bring—would you remember him? Would you be as friendly and approachable as before?

Saturday finally arrived...

and Hamzah found himself standing outside the coffee shop, trying to calm his nerves. He wore a casual outfit, hoping to strike the right balance between laid-back and presentable. Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the door and stepped inside.

The familiar aroma of coffee greeted him, mingling with the soft hum of conversations. Ethan was behind the counter again, and as soon as he spotted Hamzah, he grinned knowingly. Hamzah approached with a hesitant smile.

"Hey, Ethan! Is she here today?" he asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

Ethan chuckled. "Yeah, she's around. Just a sec."

Hamzah's heart raced as Ethan disappeared into the back. He glanced around the coffee shop, spotting you arranging cups on a nearby shelf. You looked up, and for a moment, your eyes met. A smile tugged at your lips as recognition sparked between you.

Hamzah felt a rush of relief and excitement. When Ethan returned, he gestured towards you. "Hey, she'll be with you in a moment."

Sure enough, you approached the counter with a warm smile. "Hey! You’re back. Heard you’ve been asking about me," you greeted him.

"Yeah, couldn't resist coming back," Hamzah replied with a sheepish grin. "I wanted to thank you properly for last time."

You chuckled softly. "No problem at all. What were you working on that day? You seemed pretty focused."

"Oh, just some podcast stuff and a bit of writing," Hamzah explained, feeling more at ease now that he was talking to you again.

"That's cool," you said, nodding. "Well, I'm glad you came back. Can I get you anything today?"

Hamzah glanced at the menu, though he had already decided on something basic. "Just a cappuccino and... another chocolate donut, please."

You nodded, punching in his order. As you prepared it, the conversation flowed easily between you. Hamzah learned a bit more about you—your interests, your love for books and jazz music, and your favorite places in Toronto. He shared some details about his work and recent move, finding common ground in unexpected places.

When you handed him his order, Hamzah hesitated for a moment. "Hey, I know this might be forward, but would you like to grab coffee or something sometime? Outside of this coffee shop, I mean," he asked, hoping he wasn't coming on too strong.

Your smile widened, and you glanced at Ethan who was discreetly giving you an encouraging nod. "I'd like that," you replied. "Here, let me give you my number."

Hamzah's heart leaped with joy as he took your phone and entered his number. "Great, I'll text you so you have mine too," he said, handing your phone back to you.

As Hamzah left the coffee shop that day, he couldn't stop smiling. He had come back hoping to see you again, and now he had plans to meet up outside of work. It felt like the beginning of something exciting, and he couldn't wait to see where it would lead.

hope u like it! Part 3