Too Close

Born From Fire

Episode 4: Too Close

Danielle was avoiding him.

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Not obviously.

Not in a way anyone else would notice.

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But she was.

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Different rooms.

Different conversations.

Different timing.

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If Gabriel walked in—

She walked out.

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If he stayed—

She didn’t.

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It should have worked.

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It didn’t.

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Because somehow—

He was always there anyway.

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“You’re being weird.”

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Daniel dropped onto the couch beside her, watching her closely.

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“I’m not,” Danielle replied, flipping a page she hadn’t actually read.

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“You left the room three times in ten minutes.”

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“I had things to do.”

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“In three different rooms?”

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Danielle shot him a look.

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“Why do you care?”

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Daniel shrugged. “Because it’s obvious.”

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“What is?”

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“That you’re avoiding someone.”

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Her grip on the book tightened slightly.

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“I’m not avoiding anyone.”

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Daniel leaned back, unimpressed.

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“Then prove it.”

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Danielle frowned. “What does that even mean?”

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“It means,” he said, nodding toward the hallway, “he’s outside.”

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Silence.

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Danielle didn’t move.

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Daniel smirked.

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“Exactly.”

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“I just don’t feel like going outside,” she said.

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“Yeah,” Daniel replied. “Sure.”

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Across the house—

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Gabriel waited.

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Leaning against the balcony railing, like he had all the time in the world.

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But his eyes—

Kept flickering toward the door.

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Waiting.

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And when it finally opened—

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There she was.

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Danielle stepped outside slowly, her expression controlled—but her eyes gave her away.

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“You took your time,” Gabriel said.

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“I wasn’t coming for you.”

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“Of course not.”

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She walked past him, stopping at the railing, putting distance between them.

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Or trying to.

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“You’ve been avoiding me,” he said.

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“I haven’t.”

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“You have.”

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She turned slightly.

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“You think everything is about you.”

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Gabriel pushed off the railing.

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“Not everything,” he said.

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A step closer.

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“But this is.”

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Danielle’s heart picked up again.

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“I just don’t want to deal with you,” she said.

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Gabriel stopped in front of her.

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“Then why are you here?”

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She didn’t answer.

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Because she didn’t know.

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Or maybe—

She did.

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“You don’t like being around me?” he asked.

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Danielle crossed her arms again.

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“No.”

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Gabriel stepped closer.

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Closer than before.

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“Then move,” he said quietly.

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She didn’t.

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And that—

Said everything.

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Silence fell between them.

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Heavy.

Charged.

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“You’re confusing,” he said.

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“You’re annoying,” she replied.

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Gabriel’s lips curved slightly.

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“And yet, you’re still here.”

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Danielle looked up at him—

Really looked this time.

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And suddenly—

He didn’t feel like just Daniel’s best friend anymore.

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He felt—

Different.

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Closer.

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Dangerous.

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“You should go,” she said softly.

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But she didn’t step back.

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Gabriel noticed.

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Of course he did.

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“You don’t mean that,” he said.

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Her breath slowed.

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“Yes, I do.”

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“Then say it again,” he challenged.

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She held his gaze.

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“Go.”

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A pause.

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Neither moved.

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Neither looked away.

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And then—

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Gabriel’s hand moved.

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Slow.

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Not touching her—

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But close enough that she felt it.

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Felt the shift.

The tension.

The almost.

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Danielle’s breath hitched.

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“Gabriel—”

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Her voice was softer now.

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Not warning.

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Not quite.

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And for a second—

It almost happened.

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The space between them—

Gone.

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But then—

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“Yo!”

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Daniel’s voice.

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Both of them pulled back instantly.

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Like nothing happened.

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Like everything didn’t just change.

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Daniel stepped outside, looking between them.

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“…Why do you both look like that?” he asked.

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Danielle turned away quickly.

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“Like what?” she said.

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Gabriel leaned back casually again.

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“Like what?” he repeated.

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Daniel narrowed his eyes slightly.

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“…Something’s off.”

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Silence.

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Danielle grabbed onto that.

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“Nothing’s off,” she said quickly.

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“Right,” Daniel replied.

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But he didn’t look convinced.

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Not at all.

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Gabriel’s gaze flickered toward Danielle again.

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Just once.

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And this time—

She felt it.

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Stronger than before.

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Harder to ignore.

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They didn’t kiss.

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But they got close enough to know—

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Next time…

They might not stop.

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