Chapter12:

_Leah's POV_ After training, Tariq suggested that we go for a walk before heading back home. I was still flushed from the physical activity, my mind swirling with the memory of our kiss. Part of me wanted to pull away and retreat to the safety of my thoughts, but another part—the bolder and more daring part—wanted to stay close to him.  As we walked through the forest, the quiet rustle of leaves underfoot and the distant chirping of birds filled the space between us. Tariq glanced over at me, his eyes lingering in that way that made my heart race. "Leah," he said after a few moments of silence, "I just want to say... you're really beautiful."  His words caught me off guard, and I felt a warmth rise in my cheeks. I wasn't used to hearing compliments like that, especially from someone like him. I looked down at the ground. I was unsure of how to respond. "You don’t have to say that," I mumbled, trying to laugh it off, but Tariq stopped walking and turned to face me. "I mean it," he said,