the sunlight shone through my window, soft but bright enough to nudge me awake. i rolled over, clutching my blanket tighter around myself, not quite ready to face the day. my head pounded gently—a reminder of last night's drinks—and yet, even through the groggy haze, a small smile crept onto my face.

i couldn't stop thinking about last night. the art showcase, the conversations, the energy... and louis. it was as if every little thing from the night before had been folded into my memory, layered with laughter and the tiniest sparks of excitement.

i sighed, finally convincing myself to get up. i shuffled to the kitchen, hair a mess, still in last night's oversized shirt, and put on a pot of coffee. as it brewed, my mind wandered back to the after-party. louis had shown up, exactly like he said he would. i didn't know why that meant so much to me, but it did.

he'd been so supportive, not just showing up, but really being there and then joining the celebration after. the night had blurred as we'd laughed and shared drinks, almost like it was just the two of us even with everyone else around. and then... that kiss. it'd been impulsive, sure, but there was something there i hadn't expected—something that made my heart race in a way i hadn't felt in ages.

i couldn't help but smile, shaking my head as if that could shake the memory out of my mind. "pull yourself together, imogen," i muttered, sipping my coffee. it was almost impossible not to think about him, though. even my phone, sitting on the counter, seemed to hold the memory of our late-night text exchange that had followed after the party.

"hey, sunshine," his message had read. he'd started calling me that sometime between our second and third drink last night, and it felt oddly perfect. i'd never had a nickname like that before, and i couldn't deny that i loved it.

i opened my messages and saw our chat still there.

"morning, storm cloud," i typed, hesitating before hitting send. it was ridiculous how giddy i felt, waiting for a reply, like some kind of lovesick teenager. i mean, i wasn't even sure what this was yet—just a kiss, a nice night out—but the idea of maybe getting to know him beyond that... well, it was something i couldn't shake.

my phone buzzed almost immediately. "oh, you're awake?" he replied. "i thought you'd still be out cold after last night." i could practically see his smirk through the screen, and my cheeks went a little pink.

"not as weak as you think i am," i replied, adding a winking emoji.

his response was instant. "oh, i'm well aware of how not-weak you are." i laughed, setting my phone down as i took another sip of coffee, feeling a warm thrill.

and that was it—the realization hit me. i was down bad. really, really down bad for him. it wasn't just the flirty messages, or that ridiculously unexpected kiss; it was how i felt around him, like the best version of myself. he brought out a side of me i didn't realize i'd been missing—a little more daring, a little more willing to take risks.

i shook my head, running my fingers through my hair. "what are you doing, imogen?" i mumbled to myself, half-laughing. i mean, this was louis tomlinson. sure, he didn't seem like he'd let fame change him, but he was still a big deal.

the sound of another notification pulled me back, and i glanced at my phone.

"so, when's our next date, sunshine?" he'd asked, and my heart did a flip.

"who says there's going to be another one?" i typed back, biting my lip, already knowing i'd cave if he actually asked.

"oh, i think there will be," came his reply, with that same confidence i'd come to expect from him.

i rolled my eyes but smiled, and a part of me already knew i'd say yes.