Michael

You were snuggled up on a soft blanket in the park, your head on Michael's lap. A warm breeze played with your hair, and somewhere in the distance, you could hear the laughter of passersby. Michael was quietly narrating something, occasionally running his hand through your hair. You smiled, barely containing your laughter, and looked up at him every now and then. His eyes were warm, and his voice was so calm and gentle that you completely forgot about everything else.

You flirted, exchanged jokes, and occasionally touched each other—subtly, as if by accident. It was your little secret joy: no one in the group knew you were together. You decided to keep it a secret—just for fun, for these special moments that belonged only to the two of you.

And then, just as you were laughing again at Michael's latest joke, you noticed your group of friends walking past. They froze in place, looked at each other, then looked back at you—and their eyes widened in shock. Some even gaped in surprise.

You sat up a little, trying to figure out what had happened, but Michael just chuckled and quietly said:

• Well, it seems our secret is no longer a secret.