After a few awkward conversations, they found a rhythm. Days turned into weeks, and those late afternoons melted into evenings spent discussing everything from poetry to photography. They discovered shared interests and learned about each other's dreams and fears.

Yet, the passage of time felt cruel; their moments together were often rushed. Emma had a busy schedule filled with photography gigs, while Lily juggled her art commitments. Despite their mounting obligations, they carved out time for each other—meeting in the café, discovering local galleries, or simply wandering through Central Park, where the leaves blazed in fiery colours.

It was during one of those walks, with the crisp autumn air whispering around them, that Emma stopped, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Let’s take a picture together."

Lily hesitated. She had never been the center of attention, but Emma’s infectious enthusiasm drew her in. They posed against a backdrop of vibrant orange leaves, and Emma captured the moment with a click. As she looked at the photo afterward, Lily realized how deeply she felt for Emma—more than a friend, but she couldn’t voice it. Not yet.